Mauricio Pochettino set to axe Chelsea flop at third attempt with £35m upgrade already identified
Hakim Ziyech and Trevoh Chalobah train for Chelsea
Chelsea are set to sell Hakim Ziyech to Turkish club Galatasaray and replace him with Crystal Palace attacker Michael Olise, according to reports.
The Morocco international signed for the Blues from Ajax in 2021 but he has never really lived up to the hype at Stamford Bridge.
Ziyech saw his minutes diminish significantly last season, making just six Premier League starts. He now finds himself behind the likes of Raheem Sterling, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke in the pecking order.
The 30-year-old came close to leaving Chelsea in June. Reports suggested he had completed a switch to Saudi club Al Nassr, but the deal collapsed at the last minute.
This is the second time Ziyech has seen a move away from Chelsea fall through. He almost signed for Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day in January, but Chelsea submitted the documents too late and he missed out on the move.
It now seems that the former Ajax star could leave the London club at the third time of asking, with a European giant reaching a verbal agreement over signing him this summer.
READ MORE: Epic Liverpool transfer fail explained as ‘bemused’ Romeo Lavia rejects Jurgen Klopp to join Chelsea
Galatasaray want Ziyech; Olise to replace him
According to reputed transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ziyech is close to sealing a move to Galatasaray.
On Twitter, Romano wrote: “Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement in principle with Galatasaray for Hakim Ziyech transfer.
“Galatasaray deal is subject to further details and also medical tests — as Chelsea are careful after twists with PSG and Al Nassr.”
If Ziyech comes through the ‘medical tests’ ok this time, it seems likely he will sign for Galatasaray soon. It isn’t yet clear how much the Turkish club will sign him for.
Getting players off the books is important for Chelsea due to FFP after another summer of huge spending. Pochettino has already spent over £250m on the likes of Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, Robert Sanchez and others.
They are also on the verge of signing Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia for a fee of £58m.
In terms of a replacement for Ziyech, Chelsea seem set to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. As reported by TEAMtalk, the Blues have triggered a £35m release clause in his contract.
The 21-year-old has the ability to play as a winger or as an attacking midfielder. He made 11 assists last term and scored two goals, so should prove to be an excellent long-term replacement for Ziyech at Chelsea.
With personal terms already agreed between Olise and the Blues, this deal is expected to be finalised in the very near future.
Pochettino will hope that Chelsea’s big spending in the transfer market will translate into results on the pitch. It remains to be seen whether Olise will be available for their next game against West Ham on Sunday.
