Blockbuster Chelsea twist as PSG eye shock move for Blues star amid Newcastle, Everton interest

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech could end up snubbing Newcastle and Everton by joining French giants Paris Saint-Germain instead, according to reports.

Ziyech looks set to depart Stamford Bridge before Tuesday’s January transfer deadline. He endured a disappointing start to the campaign as he only played five times in Chelsea’s first 16 games in the Premier League. The 29-year-old was struggling to get into the starting eleven due to competition for places from the likes of Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling.

Ziyech has been given more game time by Graham Potter in recent months. He has played over 85 minutes in Chelsea’s last two matches and set up the winner in their 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on January 15.

Despite this resurgence, Ziyech still remains keen to secure a transfer elsewhere. After all, he will face even more competition for a starting spot following the arrivals of wide players Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, from Shakhtar Donetsk and PSV Eindhoven respectively.

Ziyech has been tipped to drop out of European competition and join a lower Premier League side, such as Everton or Aston Villa. Newcastle have also been linked with him, and they could achieve Champions League qualification for next season.

But those English teams could lose out on the Moroccan to PSG. On Monday evening, French newspaper L’Equipe revealed PSG hope to snare Ziyech before the end of the transfer window.

They state that the Ligue 1 leaders have begun discussions with Chelsea over the potential transfer. And while an agreement is yet to be reached, Ziyech is hoping to make the move a reality.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has also given his take on the situation. He claims the negotiations between PSG and Chelsea to be ‘advanced’.

Chelsea, PSG working on Hakim Ziyech transfer ‘formula’

The two major UCL clubs are discussing the ‘formula’ of the deal. Presumably, this means whether it will be a loan – potentially with an option to buy – or a permanent transfer.

Romano adds that negotiations will continue overnight to try and get his switch over the line. After all, the deadline is looming large.

It makes sense that Ziyech would rather join PSG than the likes of Everton, Villa or Newcastle. After all, Christophe Galtier’s side have a great chance at lifting the Ligue 1 title this season.

Plus, moving to the Parc des Princes would give Ziyech the chance to play alongside world-class stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

One concern for Ziyech might be getting into the PSG team. While he is a good player in his own right, it is hard to see him starting most matches at the expense of Messi, Mbappe or Neymar.

But the 50-cap international will have belief he can make an impact at PSG and become one of the top wingers in Europe once again, as he was during his Ajax days.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have made a stunning approach for a big-name Chelsea midfielder.