Ajax star Hakim Ziyech has confirmed that FC Bayern Munich knocked on his door this summer, but he extended his contract in Amsterdam due to the overall picture and the Munich side’s lack of effort.
When asked whether a transfer to the Isar would have been possible, the Moroccan replied in conversation with General Dagblad: “Yes, that could have happened. But for me and Ajax, it was a good moment to have clarity.”
That’s why the offensive player stopped the rumours about his future last week and extended his contract in the Dutch metropolis until 2022.
As a reason for the failure to change to a top club, he also mentioned that FC Bayern never made a concrete effort to get to him at any time and did not approach him early enough. “Indeed it was. In my opinion, everyone could see what we had achieved with Ajax and what my part in it was. If the club that gives me the perfect feeling doesn’t come along then it just doesn’t. A transfer was never a sacred goal,” the 26-year-old continued.
Besides the German record champion, other European greats were also interested in the Ajax professional. Sevilla FC are “certainly a beautiful club”, but for the Moroccan international this was not the crucial point in his decision: “The overall picture must be complete. And I didn’t feel that way. Then I’d rather stay with Ajax.”
In addition, the football with which Ajax stormed into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season is exactly the style of play he prefers. “I love football and at Ajax I experience football the way I like it best. Attack with the ball, without ball pressing. In both areas I was able to develop here and I can enjoy both aspects. It brings out the best in me, I think,” concludes Ziyech.
Ziyech has been playing for the Eredivisie Club since 2016. At the time, he came to Amsterdam from Twente Enschede for eleven million euros, and transfermarkt.de now estimates the market value of the outside right at around 40 million euros.
In the past season, the left foot was used 49 times in total. With 21 goals and 24 goals he was able to convince completely.
