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Hakim Ziyech 'keen to push through a move to Barcelona this month'

Ziyech 'keen to push through a move to Barcelona this month'
© Reuters
Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech is attempting to force a move to Barcelona this month, according to a report.

Hakim Ziyech is reportedly desperate to join Barcelona before the end of the January transfer window, with the attacker looking for a route out of Chelsea.

The 29-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from Ajax in 2020, and he has played 97 times for the Blues in all competitions, contributing 14 goals and 11 assists in the process.

Ziyech has struggled to find the form that made him a star at Ajax, though, and there is currently speculation surrounding the Morocco international's future.

Chelsea's transfer business this month could make it difficult for the forward to earn regular minutes moving forward, and he has had an underwhelming 2022-23 campaign thus far, managing just one assist in 14 appearances in all competitions.

According to Sport, Ziyech is actively offering himself to Barcelona, with the Catalan said thought to be interested, having allowed Memphis Depay to make the move to Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech in action with Manchester City's Phil Foden on January 5, 2023© Reuters

The report claims that Chelsea boss Graham Potter is open to letting Ziyech leave, but Barcelona could face competition for his signature.

A number of clubs are said to be keeping a close eye on the developments, as Ziyech impressed for his country at the 2022 World Cup, helping them reach the semi-finals of the competition.

Barcelona have not yet been active during the January transfer window, but Memphis's departure has potentially opened up a space in the squad.

The Catalan outfit do have a number of wide players in their first-team squad, though, with Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati, Raphinha and Ferran Torres all options for head coach Xavi.

Morocco's Hakim Ziyech celebrates scoring their first goal with Azzedine Ounahi on December 1, 2022© Reuters

In the aftermath of the World Cup, Chelsea head coach Potter paid tribute to Ziyech's "fantastic quality" but said that he would "have to be patient" in terms of securing a regular spot in the side.

"We know his qualities, we like him as a player, he plays between the lines with fantastic quality as we saw in the World Cup," he told reporters towards the end of last year.

"At Chelsea there are always good players who aren't in the starting XI and have to be patient. I was delighted for him, kept in touch with him over the World Cup.

"Delighted for him that he got the game-time, delighted for him that he helped his team, he's a good guy and he's got quality."

Barcelona failed to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League, but they are currently top of the La Liga table and through to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey, while Xavi's side beat Real Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup last weekend.

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