Reported Liverpool target Hakim Ziyech (Daily Mail) looks set to stay at Dutch Eredivisie league champions Ajax for a while yet.
The Moroccan play-maker’s £26m release clause had allegedly attracted interest from several Premier League clubs. However, Champions League semi-finalists Ajax have now moved to secure the player’s future in the Netherlands.
According to De Telegraaf Ajax have removed the release clause from Ziyech’s contract and extended his deal until 2022.
(Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
This move makes any potential deal for the midfielder much harder. It also makes a deal significantly more expensive for any future bidders.
Ajax has been a breeding ground for world-class talent over the past few years; Ziyech has emerged as just one of the many top-class players out of the club.
Both Matthijs De Ligt and Frenkie de Jong went for huge money in the summer transfer window. Now Ajax have the chance to do the same with Ziyech, who is worth much more than £26m.
The Moroccan, who scored 16 times in 29 Eredivisie league appearance last season, has continued his form in the early parts of 2019/20
Liverpool are lacking what Ziyech brings to the Ajax team and he would be a useful addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad. Although any potential deal is now much harder to secure and likely to command a fee that may well be better spent elsewhere.