Bayern Munich reportedly increase interest in Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Bayern Munich continue to show interest in Ajax Amsterdam attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech.
As the 2018-19 enters its final few months, Bayern Munich are entrenched in an exciting title race with their Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund. The two German giants play this weekend in a match that could very well decide who ends the season as Duetscher Meister.
The final few rounds of the DFB Pokal are also about to begin, with Bayern facing 2. Bundesliga side FC Heidenheim on Wednesday ahead of their massive match this weekend.
With their current campaign coming to a close, Bayern have already begun their preparations for next season. A handful of the club’s veteran players have already confirmed their departures, while a few others could be offloaded.
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Bayern have already confirmed two summer additions: France internationals and World Cup winning defenders Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez. The duo is likely to be the only defensive signings make this summer.
Die Roten will now focus on bolstering their attack. They’ll be eager to add some firepower on the wings, with veterans Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery leaving the club at the end of the season.
Several names have been linked with a move to the Bavarian capital, but only a few have been repeatedly mentioned as targets of the club. One name that has recently popped up on Bayern’s radar is Ajax attacking midfielder/winger Hakim Ziyech. According to a report from Barcelona’s Sport (via Sport Bild), Bayern Munich have been monitoring the 26-year-old and could move for him in the summer.
This report lines up with the one released by Marca a few weeks ago that claimed the Bavarians were hoping to purchase ZIyech for a fee in the region of €35 million.
Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi is clearly the German champions’ primary offensive transfer target, but the 18-year-old could prove difficult to sign over the summer. Though more naturally an attacking midfielder, Ziyech has almost exclusively played as a right winger for Ajax this season.
His superb left foot, tricky dribbling, great vision and fine shooting ability all make him a serious threat when cutting inside from the right. He’s not the fastest, but he makes up for his relative lack of pace with his supreme technical ability.
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At 26, Ziyech isn’t exactly young, but he perhaps still has his best years ahead of him. He’d be a cheaper — and slightly more proven — option than Lille’s Nicolas Pepe. His ability to also play in attacking midfield could be seen as a major bonus for Bayern, especially with the future of James Rodriguez still uncertain.