Chelsea have been dealt another major blow to their hopes of offloading Hakim Ziyech. The 30-year-old winger has been heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge for a while now after falling out of favour under several managers.
Ziyech, who sees his contract expire in 2025, featured 18 times for the Blues in the Premier League last season, directly contributing towards just three goals. Despite chalking up a number of appearances, the Morocco international started just six matches and averaged a mere 36.3 minutes per game.
Frustrated with his lack of opportunities in west London, Ziyech sought an escape route in January and Paris Saint-Germain emerged as a potential destination late into deadline day. It's said that there was even an agreement in place which would have seen the winger join the French giants on loan until the end of the season.
PSG were reportedly willing to sign him on a permanent basis, with Ziyech prepared to take a financial blow to his salary. However, a move fell through; various outlets claimed the wrong paperwork had been filed, as well as technology related problems proving an issue too.
PSG submitted an appeal to the LFP - the French football league governing body - but it was rejected. Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto later confirmed that the Italian outfit also tried to sign Ziyech following talks with his agent, but a move failed to materialise as well.
With Ziyech still eager for a change of scenery and surplus to requirements at Chelsea, he looked set to join Edouard Mendy and N'Golo Kante in Saudi Arabia. But, according to the Evening Standard, an £8million transfer to Al-Nassr has collapsed.
The report states that the Moroccan couldn't agree the final terms over a three-contract. As it stands, it's unclear whether the Saudi Arabian outfit will revisit a move for Ziyech after he failed a medical too.
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Ziyech has suffered quite the fall from grace over the years. At one stage in his Chelsea career, he was tipped to be the difference between Tottenham winning the Premier League title and simply finishing in the top-four.
In November, Rafael van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport: "Hakim Ziyech has to join Tottenham. If Tottenham get Hakim Ziyech, they could win the Premier League. I am serious."
