Report: Bayern Munich contact Ajax for Hakim Ziyech
Bayern Munich have held preliminary talks with Ajax in hopes of signing attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech according to Marca.
Ajax mounted an unbelievable comeback in the Champions League round of 16 last week, knocking out defending champions Real Madrid. The Dutch side demolished their Spanish counterpart, dismantling them at the Santiago Bernabeu and earning their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals in the process.
Ajax have many of Europe’s most promising young players in their ranks. Several of these players are attracting interest from the best clubs across the continent, and Bayern Munich are among the teams monitoring one or two of Ajax’s young stars.
According to Marca, the Bavarians have made contact with Ajax in hopes of signing Hakim Ziyech. The 25-year-old Moroccan has been the best attacking player for the Dutch club this season. Marca‘s report suggests Ajax value Ziyech in the region of €35 million, but that value is likely to increase further if he continues to impress in the next rounds of the Champions League.
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Ziyech is primarily a central attacking midfielder, but he can adequately play out wide too. Erik Ten Hag has deployed Ziyech on the right flank for most of Ajax’s games this season. The Moroccan has a knack of scoring goals along with an eye for the killer pass in the final third. He is enjoying his best season at Ajax, as he has scored 16 goals and created 11 more for his teammates (via WhoScored).
Bayern came up against Ajax in the Champions League group stage this season. The two teams played out two entertaining draws, and Ziyech was among the most impressive performers in both legs. The Morocco international was close to leaving the club for AS Roma in January, but Ajax decided to keep hold of him til the summer. Bayern will have to fight off interest from numerous clubs if their interest in the player is serious.
The signing of Ziyech would make some sense for Bayern if they decide against signing James Rodriguez on a permanent basis. The Colombian is backed by the Bayern chiefs, though, and his form has improved in the second half of this season. It is unlikely that James will not be at Bayern next season, unless he falls out with Niko Kovac badly.
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Bayern Munich are keeping their options open for the wide position by keeping in touch with Ajax over a potential move for Ziyech. The Bavarians will once again try to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi in the summer and are apparently keeping a close eye on Lille’s Nicolas Pepe. Ziyech is likely to be third in the pecking order at best. Nevertheless, he would be a fine addition to Bayern’s squad if they fail to get their primary targets.