Manchester United are reportedly facing stiff competition from Bayern Munich in pursuit of Ajax superstar Hakim Ziyech.
As per a report by German publication Bild, Manchester United are no longer alone in the race to sign Hakim Ziyech in the summer transfer window. Bayern Munich are keen on signing the Moroccan superstar, who has recently been coy about his future at Ajax.
Hakim Ziyech has been one of the stories of Dutch football ever since he broke into the first-team setup at Heerenveen. A two-year stint at the club was followed by another couple of seasons at FC Twente before he made his way to Ajax. And, it is at the Dutch capital where he has become a superstar in his own right.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR ?
17/18 –> HAKIM ZIYECH ??
18/19 –> HAKIM ZIYECH ??LOVE YOU, HAKIM! ❤️#nummer34 pic.twitter.com/ZypG0DduiI
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 16, 2019
In his three seasons with Ajax, the 26-year-old has won the club’s Player of the Year in two of the campaigns, including this term. His numbers this season make for a staggering read, with Ziyech boasting a tally of 21 goals and 24 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. And, his performances have caught the eye of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
At Manchester United, a long-standing problem pertains to the right wing, which has practically been hollow over the last few years. And, ahead of a summer of squad overhaul that is set to be undertaken by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this summer, the position is understandably a priority.
The interest in Ziyech thus, makes sense for Manchester United, who can have a long-term solution in attack while also having an option in midfield in the form of the Ajax superstar. United though, now face stiff competition from Bayern Munich in pursuit of the player.
For years, the wide attacking areas had been ones that had no need for reinforcements whatsoever at Bayern Munich. But, Arjen Robben is set to call it quits at the Allianz Arena, while Ribery is nearing the end of his glittering career.
Bayern thus, have an urgent need to bolster the wide areas in the summer transfer window, with Kingsley Coman, Alphonso Davies and Serge Gnabry the only options at Niko Kovac’s disposal. For a long time, Callum Hudson-Odoi, who was also linked with Manchester United, was a top target for Die Roten.
But, a long-term Achilles injury has since ended Manchester United and Bayern Munich’s interest in the Englishman, which has forced them to turn their attention towards Ziyech. And, the two clubs would have been boosted in his pursuit by recent comments, wherein the player remained coy on questions over his Ajax future.
With Champions League football on offer, Bayern Munich would fancy their chances of signing the 26-year-old. But, it remains to be seen if Manchester United can sweeten the pot with a better contract, thereby signing Hakim Ziyech this summer.
