Marc Overmars has reportedly urged Arsenal to buy Ajax attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech this summer in order to bolster their offensive department.
Overmars has even rated Ziyech higher than Mesut Ozil and he wants Unai Emery’s side to strike the former German international off their books.
Intriguingly, he had said at the end of the previous campaign that the Moroccan’s exit would be sanctioned if a top team lines up to secure his signature.
Apparently, the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward, who is currently Ajax’s technical director, is surprised by lack of offers for the Moroccan international.
“I am a bit surprised that it is still so quiet around Hakim. I think he has played better every year and his statistics are exceptionally good.”
“I think Hakim Ziyech is better than Mesut Ozil. I would say sell him (Ozil) and you will get Hakim for half”, he was quoted as saying by Voetball International.
Owing to their failure to secure a berth in the Champions League, the north London based outfit are reportedly on a tight budget of £45million in the ongoing transfer window even though Emery has urged the board to make a couple of big signings this summer.
Gabriel Martinelli has been the only summer signing by Emery’s camp and considering the loopholes they have in their ranks, a few more additions are expected.
Should Emery pay heed to Overmars’ advice?
Ziyech is one of the hottest properties in the Dutch league at the moment, having featured for Heerenveen and FC Twente before switching to the ranks of Ajax in the summer of 2016.
He played a key role in Erik ten Haag’s side last season and helped them in clinching the Eredivisie title as he plundered 16 goals and also bagged 13 assists in 29 league appearances.
Capable of operating as a central attacking midfielder as well as a winger, Ziyech is effective in constructing attacking endeavours with his vision and creative prowess.
His positional awareness is one of his strongest suits along with his ability to deliver enticing crosses into the box.
Ziyech has decent pace to burn, which makes him an effective asset on the wings, and his fluidic attacking approach will fit well in Emery’s system at Arsenal.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ozil were far from impressive last season and Danny Welbeck has left the club, which implies that Ziyech could add depth and quality to Emery’s side.
Manchester United, AS Roma and several other clubs are believed to be interested to sign him but the 26-year-old is reportedly eyeing a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Despite the financial woes of the Gunners, he will be an affordable option for them as it has been claimed that he is expected to cost in the region of £30million. In all honesty, he will indeed be a galvanizing signing for Arsenal if his move materializes.
