Erik ten Hag keen on Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech but Man United hierarchy coy on transfer

Erik ten Hag wants to reunite with Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech this summer but the Manchester United board has other ideas, according to reports. 

The 29-year-old is pushing to leave Chelsea during the current transfer window and looked likely for a move to Italy to join AC Milan. But in recent days, despite talks throughout the summer, the Serie A outfit withdrew their interest in the Morocco international. 

It hasn’t changed Ziyech’s stance as he pushes for a move away from Stamford Bridge after joining back in 2020 from Ajax. 

Hakim Ziyech has been linked with AC Milan for much of the summer. (Alamy)

After AC Milan’s cooling of interest, Manchester United has emerged as a potential destination for the winger, but it won’t be a straight-forward transfer. 

As reported by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag wants to bring Ziyech to Old Trafford after identifying him as an alternative to Ajax winger Anthony after being priced out of a move.

United tried to sign Timo Werner from Chelsea at the 11th-hour before he sealed his RB Leipzig return earlier this week, and now they are eyeing another Blues forward.

But there is an issue for Ten Hag - the Manchester United board have resisted interest in Ziyech, who is contracted with Chelsea until 2025. 

The club have backed Ten Hag in the market but have ‘deemed’ Ziyech as an exception this summer. 

Erik ten Hag has just taken over at Manchester United this summer, but transfers have been hard to complete. (Alamy)

Thomas Tuchel is dealing with many players wanting to leave the club this summer during the rebuild phase. With Ziyech’s future unclear and the arrival of Raheem Sterling, Chelsea are wanting another forward before the end of the summer window. 

Pierre-Aubameyang is wanted, although Tuchel won’t confirm the interest publicly, and the Chelsea boss provided an update on their summer transfer plans in attack. 

“I think we could use and strengthen our squad in depth and strength in both,” responded Tuchel on interest in the attack amid defensive improvements. 

“It’s one thing what you wish for and another what is possible. It needs to be possible.

"We are looking for top quality, top personalities, good characters and competitors on the highest levels.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel reacts following the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool. (Alamy)

"You don’t always get what you wish for and that’s why we are calm and ambitious at the same time. Quite some days to go until the end of the transfer period. Everything is possible until the end.”

On Aubameyang, the Chelsea head coach replied: “I enjoyed a lot working with him, was a pleasure. Some players stay your players because you work very very close, Auba is one of these players.

"We had a very close relationship. Always when we played him here with Arsenal, there was always straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way, Auba is one of these guys.”