Hakim Ziyech’s future at Galatasaray darkens

Two main reasons would motivate this decision: the player’s performance deemed insufficient since the beginning of the season and his conflictual relations with coach Okan Buruk. Arrived in Turkey in the summer of 2023 from Chelsea, Ziyech has not convinced the Galatasaray leaders despite an honorable record (championship and Turkish Super Cup) and participation in 23 matches with 12 goals.

This is not the first time the 32-year-old player has been on his way out. During the last summer transfer window, several clubs in the Gulf, notably Al-Gharafa and Al-Arabi of Qatar, had shown interest in his profile. Galatasaray had then chosen to retain Ziyech after letting go of other players playing in the same position.

Persistent rumors suggest that the Turkish club would seek to limit the playing time of the Moroccan international. Indeed, a clause in his contract stipulates that it would be automatically extended for an additional year if Ziyech participates in at least 70% of the team’s matches this season. A strategy that seems to have been in place since last August.