Transfer Centre

Chelsea 'make Yves Bissouma, Hakim Ziyech swap enquiry with Tottenham Hotspur'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 20 January 2023

Chelsea 'make Bissouma, Ziyech swap enquiry with Spurs'

Chelsea reportedly enquire whether Tottenham Hotspur would have any interest in a swap deal involving Yves Bissouma and Hakim Ziyech.

Chelsea reportedly make contact with Tottenham Hotspur with regards to a potential swap deal involving Yves Bissouma and Hakim Ziyech.

The Blues have hit the headlines throughout the January transfer window as they continue the ambitious process of drastically changing their first-team squad.

Already this month, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Mykhaylo Mudryk and David Datro Fofana have already make the switch to Stamford Bridge, and more fresh faces are expected to follow.

If reports are to be believed, Noni Madueke will arrive from PSV Eindhoven on Friday, leaving Chelsea to focus on a right-back, central midfield and potentially another centre forward.

Without any notable outgoings thus far, it has left Chelsea's senior ranks heavily populated and unbalanced, and departures will inevitably have to materialise before the closure of the window.

Tottenham Hotspur's Yves Bissouma pictured in August 2022 © Reuters

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are open to negotiating a swap or part-exchange deal involving Bissouma and Ziyech.

Bissouma, a former player of Graham Potter at Brighton & Hove Albion, has failed to impress since making the switch to Spurs, being restricted to nine starts and 13 substitute appearances in all competitions.

The North London outfit have failed to win on any of Bissouma's last four starts, the most recent coming on New Year's Day.

Meanwhile, Ziyech has slowly worked his way into Potter's plans at Chelsea, aided by his excellent showings for Morocco at the World Cup and injuries to his club teammates.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during defeat to Arsenal on November 6, 2022. © Reuters

The playmaker also provided the assist for Chelsea's decisive goal versus Crystal Palace last weekend, but the additions of Mudryk and Madueke will put his place in the team at risk.

However, despite the interest from Chelsea, Spurs are said to have no intention of entertaining a proposal which includes Ziyech.

Head coach Antonio Conte is currently considering his options in the final third with another creative player likely to be signed before the January transfer deadline.

Ziyech has 18 months remaining on his contract and there is little prospect of fresh terms being penned at this stage.

He has been linked with Newcastle United and AC Milan at different stages of the month, with more interest expected to materialise over the coming days.