Galatasaray has reportedly made a decisive move to end its association with Moroccan winger Hakim Ziyech, signaling a likely exit for the 31-year-old during the upcoming winter transfer window. According to Turkish football analyst Ali Naci Küçük, head coach Okan Buruk is planning to exclude Ziyech from matchday squads, relegating him to the stands and paving the way for a potential departure.
The precise reasons behind this decision remain undisclosed, though tensions between Ziyech and Buruk are believed to have escalated since a public dispute in late August.
Following that incident, Ziyech hinted at his dissatisfaction by removing images associated with Galatasaray from his social media, sparking speculation over a possible departure.
While a temporary calm appeared to return, the player’s ongoing frustrations over limited playing time seem to have kept the relationship tense.
Ziyech, who joined Galatasaray after his tenure with Chelsea, has struggled to secure a consistent role in Buruk’s setup.
His recent lack of involvement has further underscored the issue. In Galatasaray’s October 28 league victory over rivals Besiktas, Ziyech was left on the bench, as he was during their previous Europa League match against Elfsborg, which the team won 4-3.
The winger’s frustrations with his limited opportunities have reportedly grown, especially given his mere five appearances totaling 256 minutes this season.
Although Ziyech’s early-season muscle injury sidelined him for nearly a month, from mid-September to early October, his frustration with his limited role has become evident since his return to fitness.
The player reportedly feels that his contributions on the pitch have not been maximized, leading to mounting discontent with his current position at Galatasaray.
During the summer transfer window, there was considerable interest from the Qatar Stars League, with Al-Gharafa and Al-Arabi both exploring a move for Ziyech.
Al-Arabi is said to be monitoring the situation closely and is likely to renew its interest in the Moroccan international should Galatasaray confirm his availability.
The decision to potentially offload Ziyech comes as Galatasaray looks to streamline its squad amid an intense season.
Ziyech, with 64 caps and 25 international goals for Morocco, remains a valuable asset, and his departure could open doors for more playing time elsewhere.
Turkish sources indicate that Al-Arabi has once again approached Ziyech’s representatives, seeking to secure the winger in January.
As the January transfer window approaches, Galatasaray and Ziyech may seek an amicable separation, with the Turkish giants expected to part ways and allow the Moroccan star to continue his career at a club where he could play a more prominent role.
