In what comes as a potential boost to Tottenham in their rumoured pursuit of Hakim Ziyech, Gazzetta dello Sport have now revealed that AC Milan have decided against making a move for the Chelsea star.
Ziyech has only made five appearances for Chelsea so far in 2022-23 but the winger has proven his class at the World Cup, with two goal contributions to his name so far as Morocco has made history by becoming the first African side to reach the final four (Transfermarkt).
Tottenham have been credited with an interest in the 29-year-old ahead of January, with Todo Fichajes asserting two months ago that the North London club were ready to pay £20m for the former Ajax star.
However, it looked like AC Milan had stolen a march on Spurs in the race for Ziyech when Gazzetta dello Sport reported last week that the Rossoneri were ready to launch an opening offer for the attacker.
The report alleged that Stefano Pioli’s men were expected to make a loan offer for the winger with an option to make the deal permanent for €15m (£12.9m) next summer.
However, the same publication have now revealed that Milan have decided to opt-out of their pursuit of the Chelsea star.
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It is explained that this is because the Moroccan was demanding a salary of €8m per season (£6.8m), which would have made him the highest-paid player in the Serie A club’s books.
Spurs Web Opinion
Tottenham will not have any issues paying Ziyech around £7m per season but I do not expect wages to be the main stumbling block in the player’s proposed move across London. He will likely want guarantees of regular game time, which Conte will not be able to promise.
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