Chelsea reject loan offer for 28-year-old attacking star but open to permanent sale

Transfer News: Chelsea reject loan offer from AC Milan for Hakim Ziyech

According to CalcioMercato (h/t The Sun), Chelsea have rejected a loan bid from Serie A giants AC Milan for Moroccan international winger Hakim Ziyech.

The 28-year-old joined the Blues to much anticipation last summer. While he has impressed in patches, injuries have seen him underperform and also spend a good chunk on the sidelines. The player has now seemingly fallen out of favour at the Bridge.

Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Timo Werner are all ahead of Ziyech in the Chelsea pecking order as Thomas Tuchel prepares for the 2021/22 campaign. Signed by Frank Lampard, it can be argued that the Moroccan does not feature very high on Tuchel’s priorities.

Despite his difficulties, Ziyech remains a player in demand and AC Milan clearly have their eye on him. According to the report, the Rossoneri’s loan bid was rebuffed but it does not close the door on their chances of landing the player.

Chelsea are open to selling the player permanently and could approve a switch should an acceptable offer come in. Both clubs have already done business with each other this summer and it remains to be seen if Ziyech will join former teammates Olivier Giroud and Fikayo Tomori at the San Siro.

The versatile attacker made 39 appearances for the Blues in all competitions last season, scoring six goals and assisting four more. Perhaps tellingly, he was an unused substitute in our UEFA Champions League final triumph over Manchester City. (h/t Transfermarkt)

According to the Express, Chelsea’s pursuit of Erling Haaland in the summer could see the club cash in on the likes of Ziyerh, Kurt Zouma, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Tammy Abraham. At 28, the Moroccan is in his prime and can be a sensational signing for Milan.

The Italians recently returned to the UEFA Champions League and will need strengthening if they are to leave a mark in the competition. Ziyech too could benefit from potentially increased playing time in Italy. A magician with the ball, he could display his game with relatively more freedom for a team that trusts him to start regularly. Whether he is ready to call it quits after just one season in England remains to be seen.

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For now, Ziyech’s focus is on starting the season strong with Chelsea. He netted a brilliant hat-trick in the Blues’ first pre-season game against Peterborough United. Whether more performances like that will change Tuchel’s mind is to be seen.