Chelsea sends Player + £33 million offer in deal to sign talented Barcelona midfielder

According to reports in Spain, Chelsea has offered £33 million transfer flop Hakim Ziyech in a proposed deal to sign Franck Kessie from Barcelona.

The Blues were extremely busy both last summer and during the January transfer window, and the spending shows no signs of slowing down as Todd Boehly continues to negotiate deals.

Chelsea announced Noni Madueke as their sixth January signing on Friday, following the arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Joao Felix, Andrey Santos, and David Datro Fofana.

Graham Potter hinted at the end of Chelsea’s January spending during his pre-match press conference on Friday, but it appears Boehly is already working on another deal.

According to Sport, Chelsea has expressed interest in signing Ivory Coast international Kessie and is willing to use Ziyech as a bargaining chip in the deal.

Kessie joined Barcelona from AC Milan last summer, but the 26-year-old has struggled for playing time at the Nou Camp, starting only two La Liga games.

Barca are said to be interested in signing Ziyech, who has underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge since joining for £33 million from Ajax in 2020.

Ziyech has been passed over by several Chelsea managers and is eager to relaunch his career elsewhere after displaying glimpses of his talent during the World Cup in Qatar.

According to reports, Chelsea has also offered Ziyech to Premier League rivals Tottenham as they consider Spurs summer signing Yves Bissouma.

Ruud Gullit, an ex-Chelsea manager, believes Ziyech has the potential to become a “top player” at Barcelona.

Gullit said on Ziggo Sport: ‘The way Ziyech plays for Morocco, I’ve never seen him play for Chelsea. It isn’t just him.

‘I believe Chelsea have placed him in positions that do not suit him at times. All he needs to do is play on the right side.

‘I’m curious… I believe he comes into his own in Spain. He never quite reached the level of Ajax in England, in my opinion.

‘I’d like to meet him in Spain. He is capable of reaching the summit. He would also fit in nicely with the Barcelona squad.’

AC Milan and PSV are also thought to be considering moves for Ziyech.