Struggling to live up to the expectations placed on his shoulders by his €40m price tag, Hakim Ziyech is already rumoured to be on his way out from Chelsea.
There’s nothing definitive just yet, but there have been enough stories to suggest there is some actual interest from Milan, who are preparing to lose Hakan Calhanoglu on a free, as the Turkish player has yet to renew his expiring contract at San Siro.
Now, let’s make one thing clear: the Serie A side will not be taking Ziyech off Chelsea’s hands permanently.
However, Gazzetta dello Sport explain the success of the Fikayo Tomori operation ‘has paved the way’ for more ‘high-value loans’ coming in to help the club return to its former glories.
The other deals with Diogo Dalot and Brahim Díaz were also promising, and that’s why, ‘with the same formula, Pioli could embrace Hakim Ziyech and Junior Firpo’.
That being said, ‘for the deal to take off, Chelsea will have to make themselves available for a loan and perhaps take on a part of his wages’.
That’s because Ziyech currently earns €7m a year, which is far more than the €4m ceiling Milan have set themselves for any salary.
There’s work to be done, but it appears Paolo Maldini and Federico Massara are well and truly interested in the Chelsea player.
