Galatasaray Set to Cut Ties with Underperforming Moroccan Star Hakim Ziyech

Turkish media sources report that the Galatasaray management has decided to part ways with Ziyech. The reason is the tense relations between the Atlas Lion and the Turkish club. Dissatisfied with his performance, coach Okan Buruk had fielded the Moroccan player as a substitute in the match against the Young Boys of Switzerland, played at the end of August as part of the Champions League qualifications.

Unhappy with this choice by the Turkish technician, the Moroccan international has deleted all his photos with Galatasaray from his official social media accounts, thus expressing his desire to leave. Since then, the relationship between Ziyech and Buruk has deteriorated. The Galatasaray coach has sidelined the Moroccan striker and has not fielded him for the Europa League matches.

According to NTV Spor, Galatasaray is considering parting ways with the Moroccan international during the next winter transfer window. The club no longer plans to activate the clause stipulating that his contract will be automatically extended for one season "if he plays 50% of the matches." The Atlas Lion is coming back from an injury (right knee muscle tear) sustained during the match against Lesotho, as part of the second round of qualifications for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Morocco. And to top it off, he was not called up by Walid Regragui for the Moroccan national team’s upcoming matches.