Ziyech’s European Comeback: La Liga and Primeira Liga Giants Battle for Moroccan Star’s Signature

The former Chelsea and Ajax player has just had a brief four-month experience with the Qatari club Al Duhail SC, for which he played only twelve matches. According to the Spanish media "la Cadena COPE", the recently promoted La Liga club Elche CF would be in advanced discussions with the player. The source indicates that only a few details would remain to be finalized for the transfer to be concluded.

However, the Spanish club is facing competition from Benfica Lisbon. The Portuguese club has positioned itself to recruit the winger, seeing it as an opportunity to strengthen its attacking sector without a transfer fee. The player’s choice seems to be leaning towards an ambitious sports project, which would have led him to decline offers from the Netherlands, Turkey and the Gulf. After spells at Chelsea, Galatasaray and Al Duhail that did not fully confirm his potential, regaining consistency in Europe is an objective for him.

This search for stability is also observed by the management of the Moroccan national team. Asked about the subject during a press conference on Thursday, coach Walid Regragui clarified the position of the federation: "There is no problem with Ziyech. The door to the national team remains open as soon as he finds a club and playing time." Valued at 4.5 million euros on the Transfermarkt platform, Hakim Ziyech’s free agent status makes him a particularly sought-after player during this transfer period.