Rumors are swirling around Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech's potential move to Stade Rennais, as discussions between the player and the club appear to be gaining momentum. After facing challenges during his time at Galatasaray, where his playing time has dwindled significantly, Ziyech seems eager to find new opportunities to reignite his career.
Guided by the experienced Jorge Sampaoli, the new coach of Stade Rennais, the club is actively pursuing various reinforcements for the upcoming winter transfer window. The primary aim is to bolster the squad and improve their standing within Ligue 1. Ziyech has piqued the interest of the Rennes brass, who are reportedly impressed by his skill set and past experiences during his stints with teams like Chelsea and Ajax.
“Après un début de saison difficile avec Galatasaray, Ziyech serait disposé à rejoindre le Stade Rennais. La direction du club breton serait intéressée par les services de l’ailier marocain,” reported 360 Sport, shedding light on Ziyech's willingness to make the switch to Rennes.
This interest has not only come from Rennes but also from the player himself, as Ziyech has identified the need to leap away from Galatasaray, where he has only seen limited action this season, with 11 appearances and only two assists to show for them.
The potential transfer, nevertheless, will hinge primarily on financial negotiations. Currently, Ziyech commands a salary of approximately 3 million euros annually. Rennes is struggling to meet this demand, prompting discussions on whether the talented winger would be willing to take a pay cut to facilitate the move.
“Des discussions préliminaires auraient déjà eu lieu, portant notamment sur les modalités financières et le salaire du joueur,” the media report continued, emphasizing the financial conundrum facing both parties.
For Ziyech, taking on such challenges is not unfounded as he aims to secure more playing time and position himself strategically for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025, which will be held in Morocco. A move to Rennes, should it materialize, may provide the perfect opportunity to achieve these goals.
A key aspect to note is Ziyech's current contract status; he is contracted with Galatasaray until June 2025, but his market value is estimated at 7 million euros. This makes him not only valuable but also attainable should negotiations proceed smoothly.
There’s clearly much at stake for both Stade Rennais and Ziyech. A successful transfer could offer Ziyech the fresh start he needs, and for Rennes, it could bring the creativity and experience required to push past their season struggles. Indeed, “Un Ziyech peu gourmand ira à Rennes” points toward mutual benefits if Ziyech is willing to negotiate his financial expectations, and the willing effort shown by the Rennes management indicates their commitment to welcoming the Moroccan player.
Yet, with the transfer window approaching, both parties have much to figure out, most pressingly how to navigate the salary discussions to make this transfer possible. While Ziyech may seek to regain his form and standing, Rennes has aspirations of rising back up the rankings of Ligue 1.
This winter transfer window could prove pivotal for both the player and the club. The outcome of these negotiations will determine if Ziyech can reclaim his career with Stade Rennais and assist them back toward European competition, or if he remains with Galatasaray, potentially continuing his struggle for playing time.
For now, the transfer remains speculative, but both parties appear increasingly interested. Whether Ziyech can balance his aspirations with realistic negotiations could see him joining Rennes as they seek to refresh their squad and aim for more significant achievements this season.
