Chelsea want to sell Ziyech to Roma and not rival Prem clubs in transfer blow to Tottenham and Newcastle

CHELSEA would prefer to offload unsettled Hakim Ziyech to Roma rather than a rival Premier League club.

The Italians want the Moroccan winger but need to sell midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo first to raise funds for a £25million deal.

Tottenham and Newcastle have also been linked with Ziyech, 29, who looks set to leave Chelsea this window to end a frustrating two-and-a-half years in English football.

But the Blues seem prepared to give Roma time to secure the money instead of selling to the highest bidder.

The transfer window in Italy closes next Tuesday – the same day as in England – but four hours earlier at 7pm UK time.

Ziyech is keen to move to Italy for a fresh start.

He has found himself out of favour with a number of Chelsea managers.

He was signed by Frank Lampard in July 2020 but tumbled down the pecking order under his successor Thomas Tuchel.

Wideman Ziyech has not found the going any easier under current head coach Graham Potter.

That is despite enjoying a starring role for his country at the World Cup last year.

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Morocco reached the semi-finals then lost the third-place play-off to Croatia in Qatar.

Fourth is the highest achievement by any African nation at the tournament.

Ziyech played all of Chelsea’s last game, away at Liverpool, last weekend but only because of the huge injury list.

He has a contract until 2025 but both parties are keen on a clean break.