Roma bidding to secure deal for Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech?

Chelsea playmaker Hakim Ziyech has allegedly emerged as a January transfer target for Roma.

Ziyech has endured a mixed season, the clear standout moments occurring on the international scene with Morocco who reached the World Cup semi-finals.

However, with Chelsea, Ziyech has spent large periods out of the team before having more faith placed in him since returning from representing the Atlas Lions.

Helped by playing six times since the turn of the year, the 29-year-old has now made six starts and nine substitute outings for the Blues in all competitions.

Nevertheless, Chelsea have been relentless in the transfer market this month, signing three fresh faces for the final third and who could challenge Ziyech for a starting role.

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While David Datro Fofana may see his game time initially limited, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Joao Felix are both expected to be regular starters in Graham Potter's lineup when available.

With Ziyech having less than 18 months remaining on his contract, and coming off the back of a strong World Cup campaign, there are inevitably teams interested in his signature.

According to The Sun, Roma are looking to negotiate a deal with their Chelsea counterparts.

The report suggests that discussions are already underway, with Roma likely to initially target a loan agreement with the option to buy.

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A place in Jose Mourinho's squad appears likely to come up in due course with the Portuguese revealing on Sunday that Nicolo Zaniolo has requested to leave Stadio Olimpico.

Mourinho told reporters: "Nicolo Zaniolo has asked to leave the club - but I am not sure that it's gonna happen. Current proposals are not enough.

"We only need a good proposal to let Zaniolo leave, and we've not received it. My feeling is that at the end, he will stay."

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have each been linked with the attacker, who played no part of Roma's 2-0 win over Spezia at the weekend.