Chelsea have confirmed they've agreed a deal with Ajax to sign Moroccan international attacker Hakim Ziyech.
The 26-year will move to Stamford Bridge in the summer after he's agreed personal terms and the transfer is thought to be worth up to 45-million Euro.
Ziyech scored 21 goals and provided 24 assists for his teammates last season as the Dutch giants reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. Two of those goals came in the round of 16 victory over defending champions Real Madrid.
Ajax boss Erik ten Hag told Fox Sports that he was surprised they held onto the midfielder until now:
“I actually already expected this one or two years earlier. And each time it was: ‘wow, he stayed again’.
“We are just happy that we will still have him until the end of the season.”
“Ziyech has got everything,” former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino told TalkSport.
“He’s a bit like Riyad Mahrez – he can dribble and go past you, he’s quite direct, he’s a great set piece taker, he has a fantastic assist record, he just sees passes.
“He’s just got everything in the game.
“I think he’s one hell of a talent and Chelsea would be very, very lucky to get him.
“He destroyed Real Madrid last year; he really played a big part in Ajax getting the better of Real at the Bernabeu.
“He’s a real talent who I think would be a fantastic addition to Chelsea.”
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