Man United now leading the race to sign Chelsea star

Manchester United are leading the race to sign Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech, according to reports.

Aside from the Cristiano Ronaldo saga, Man Utd have been a club on the up since Erik ten Hag’s summer arrival as manager.

Despite an atrocious start to the Premier League season, the Red Devils now sit in fifth place, just three points from Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League spots.

The former Ajax boss has already brought in six players to rejuvenate the Man Utd squad and is likely to sign more in January, as the club push to make the top four.

Man Utd have been linked with a plethora of forwards as they look to replace outgoing Ronaldo.

Netherlands star Cody Gakpo is a name touted as the most likely to replace the five-time Ballon d’Or winner. However, Ziyech has also been touted as an option for Man Utd.

Ziyech to Man Utd?

Italian publication CalcioMercato has claimed that Man Utd are interested in a January move for the attacking midfielder.

Ten Hag’s side are reportedly competing with Serie A giants AC Milan for the 29-year-old signature, and are said to be “leading the race”.

Reports in Italy are claiming that the Rossoneri are hoping to secure Ziyech with a loan deal with an option to buy, and don’t want to pay more than £13milion in total.

The Morocco international secured a big-money move to Stamford Bridge in 2020 but has since struggled to emulate the form that saw him become one of Europe’s brightest stars at Ajax.

This term, Ziyech has struggled for first-team minutes and has not yet scored and assisted for Chelsea.

On the international stage, however, the midfielder claimed an assist as Morocco beat Belgium 2-0 in the World Cup group stage.