Ajax set asking price for high value Tottenham target

According to CalcioMercato, Ajax has given Tottenham target Hakim Ziyech permission to leave in January if the suitor meets their £42 million asking price. 

Hotspur HQ has covered extensively Ziyech’s potential move to Spurs, but this is a development worth elaborating on. Ziyech is under contract at Ajax until 2022, so Ajax are in a position of strength for any future negotiations. The Moroccan star, who is excelling at the Dutch juggernaut, can’t ignore the allure of advancing to a top English club.

Ambitious and ready for the next step in his career, Ziyech’s mind is made up. He wants to leave Holland, which will make it difficult for Ajax to convince him otherwise. While Ziyech is committed to Ajax for another two season, keeping someone at a club against their will isn’t an narrow-minded strategy. It will only alienate Ziyech, whose performances would ultimately suffer. Just ask Christian Eriksen if you want someone who can speak from experience.

Raphael van der Vaart raves about Ziyech, and so too do most pundits. He is the real deal and would help immeasurably in Harry Kane’s absence, and in the long term. But Spurs won’t have an unobstructed path to the 26-year-old, as Arsenal and Chelsea have both shown interest.

Arsenal are said to be one of the frontrunners, but Tottenham, if they so desire, are in the running to win the Ziyech sweepstakes. You can’t deny his amazing talent, but he reminds me too much of Giovani Lo Celso and Erik Lamela.

Spurs need to diversify and put all their effort into signing an out-and-out striker, not a creative attacking midfielder.