Arsenal have identified Ajax attacker Hakim Ziyech as a potential target in the January transfer window and are keen to bring him to the Emirates Stadium. The Moroccan international is valued at £42.5million by the club after signing a contract extension last year which will expire in 2022.
Ziyech joined Ajax from rivals Twente in 2016 for €11 million and has been influential for the club during his three and a half years at the club. He has scored 8 goals and made 21 assists in all competitions for Ajax this season, taking his tally to 48 goals and 82 assists in 158 appearances in an Ajax shirt.
Since the playmaker joined the Amsterdam based-club, his performance has alerted some Europe’s top clubs to enquire about his availabilty in the transfer window. The Moroccan was spectacular for Ajax in the Eredivise and in the club’s run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, scoring 21 goals and registering 18 assists across all competitions. Ziyech was one of the Ajax players that stood out during his side’s thrilling 4-4 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November.
However, Ajax has told the Moroccan international that he can leave the club this month if his asking price is met by the clubs wanting his services. The report added that the Gunners could sign Ziyech for £43 million.
Arsenal have identified Ziyech as a target in January in order to solve the club’s creativity problem and the club is hopeful that Ajax would be willing to sell the playmaker. Ziyech would certainly fit the bill at Arsenal and add more attacking depth to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Moroccan international is a player with fantastic technique, possessing the ability to dribble and run past players with his good close control, creativity and speed, while also having the vision and technique to pass the ball. He is an all-round player who is also good from set-pieces.
