Hakim Ziyech ‘turned down brutal Al-Nassr request’ as Saudi transfer falls through leaving Chelsea in lurch
CHELSEA outcast Hakim Ziyech turned Al-Nassr down after the Saudi giants tried to drastically reduce his wages following his failed medical.
Ziyech has been on the lookout for a new club since January when a move to Paris Saint-Germain fell through after a paperwork gaffe that saw the Blues sending the wrong documents on deadline day.
The winger is still looking for a way out of Stamford Bridge following a successful World Cup campaign in Qatar that saw Morocco becoming the first ever African country making it to the semi-finals.
The 30-year-old had been talking with Al-Nassr and looked close to joining Cristiano Ronaldo in a £17million deal.
However, the move appears to have fallen through after the Morocco international didn't pass his medical.
According to sports broadcaster , Ziyech flew to Madrid for further checks.
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The tests showed there are "red flags" in the ex-Ajax star's hip and knee.
Al-Nassr have thus modified their offer and are now offering the Moroccan a new contract with his basic wage reduced by a whopping 40 per cent.
Ziyech was not keen to accept that proposal.
Thus, a move to the Saudi Pro League appears to be "off" for the time being.
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Ziyech fell down the pecking order last season at Chelsea and struggled for opportunities under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard.
The West Londoners' new manager Mauricio Pochettino is putting together a mass clearout in his bloated squad.
The versatile forward is among the top candidates to go but the latest development leaves his future in limbo
If Ziyech goes to Saudi Arabia he will be joining former team-mates N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, who joined Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli respectively.