Transfer Centre

Bayern Munich 'join Paris Saint-Germain in race for Hakim Ziyech'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 20 February 2023

Bayern Munich 'join PSG in race for Hakim Ziyech'

Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to rival Paris Saint-Germain for the signature of unwanted Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech this summer.

Bayern Munich have reportedly expressed an interest in signing out-of-favour Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech.

The Morocco international has failed to become a regular fixture of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter's starting lineups, leading to the expectation of a January exit.

On deadline day, Ziyech was on the verge of signing for French champions Paris Saint-Germain on loan, and he flew to the French capital to complete a medical in anticipation of a deal being completed.

However, Chelsea allegedly sent over the wrong documents several times and also sent them late, which ultimately led to the deal collapsing at the eleventh hour, much to Ziyech's dismay.

PSG unsuccessfully appealed to the LFP, and Ziyech subsequently returned to Chelsea for the second half of the season, but he is not expected to stick around at Stamford Bridge for much longer.

Hakim Ziyech in action for Morocco on September 27, 2022 © Reuters

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, PSG will reignite their interest in the 29-year-old during the summer, but they will face competition from Bayern to sign him.

Nevertheless, Ziyech is still believed to have his heart set on a move to the Parc des Princes, where he would replace now-Wolverhampton Wanderers man Pablo Sarabia.

The ex-Ajax man is contracted to Chelsea until the summer of 2025, and the report claims that the Blues are ready to hold out for a €40m (£35.5m) fee to sanction a sale.

Ziyech helped Ajax reach the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League before joining Chelsea, where he has amassed 14 goals and 11 assists from 101 appearances in all tournaments.

The Moroccan has won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time in the English capital, as well as playing an integral role in Morocco's run to the World Cup 2022 semi-finals.

Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech pictured in November 2021 © Reuters

The 2022-23 campaign has been a challenging one for Ziyech domestically, though, as he has just one assist to show from 18 matches and has started just five Premier League games.

The January signings of Joao Felix, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke have pushed Ziyech further down the pecking order, and he was left out of the squad for Saturday's 1-0 loss to Southampton.

With Christopher Nkunku also joining from RB Leipzig this summer, Ziyech does not appear to be in Potter's plans moving forward, but the Chelsea boss insisted that the Moroccan would be an "important" figure for the rest of the season.

Following the collapse of Ziyech's deadline-day move to PSG, Potter told reporters: "He's back in the country. He trained this morning. These stories aren't the first, they won't be the last.

"He's a professional player and understands the situation. He's committed to us and available for the squad against Fulham. He will be an important player for us for the rest of the season."

Defeat to Southampton at the weekend left Chelsea 10th in the Premier League table and 11 points off the top four, but the board currently have no plans to sack under-fire head coach Potter.