Elche move puts Hakim Ziyech on track for Morocco return ahead of 2025 AFCON

Elche are closing in on a deal to sign Morocco international Hakim Ziyech on a free transfer, with Spanish reports indicating negotiations are at an advanced stage.

The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving Qatari side Al-Duhail earlier this year, but La Liga could now offer him the platform to revive his career.

Ziyech, who boasts 56 caps for Morocco, is understood to have rejected more lucrative proposals from Turkey and the Middle East.

Instead, he sees Spain as the right environment to regain form and push for a return to the national team, where he played a pivotal role in the Atlas Lions’ historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals.

The midfielder’s career has stalled since his high-profile £33m switch from Ajax to Chelsea in 2020. Despite flashes of brilliance, he never established himself at Stamford Bridge and endured brief, unconvincing spells at Galatasaray and Al-Duhail. The lack of stability has left him sidelined for much of the past year.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui has made it clear that Ziyech’s omission from recent squads is only due to his absence from competitive football.

“There are no problems with Ziyech. We are just waiting for him to find a team and get back to competition, because he is an important player for the national side. Once he is ready, the door is open,” Regragui explained.

For Elche, adding Ziyech would represent a statement signing as they look to bolster their attacking options for the new season.

Spanish outlet AS reports that the club are increasingly confident of completing the deal despite rival interest from across Europe and the Arab world.

If finalised, the transfer could offer Ziyech a fresh start in one of Europe’s top leagues and provide the pathway he needs to secure a recall for Morocco ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.