Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech remains without a club nearly two months into the summer transfer window, as the 32-year-old continues his search for a team that aligns with his ambitions and desire to return to the national squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Out of contract since the end of May following a short spell with Qatari side Al Duhail, Ziyech is still weighing his options.
His time at Al Duhail began in late January after moving from Turkish giants Galatasaray. Despite making 24 appearances across all competitions, his impact was modest, contributing just one goal and two assists.
While the Moroccan attacker reportedly declined a potential move to Brazil several weeks ago, his preference is to remain in the Gulf region.
Sources suggest the former Ajax and Chelsea winger is seeking a sporting project that could reignite his international career and help secure a spot in Morocco’s squad for the upcoming AFCON, which will be hosted on home soil between December 21 and January 18.
Ziyech, capped 64 times by the Atlas Lions and with 25 international goals to his name, has not featured for the national team since a surprise defeat to Lesotho on September 9, 2024.
His absence from recent call-ups has only strengthened his resolve to find a club that keeps him visible on the international radar.
In the meantime, the Dronten-born player is maintaining his fitness independently in Amsterdam, a city where he enjoyed a successful four-year stint with Ajax from 2016 to 2020.
According to reports from Moroccan media, Ziyech is being monitored by Dave Louiszoon, a respected fitness coach associated with Ajax and various youth levels of the Dutch national setup.
Though there is no imminent move on the table, speculation continues to swirl around the player’s future, with interest from clubs in the Middle East reportedly ongoing.
However, no deal has materialised thus far, and with the clock ticking down on the transfer window, decisions may soon be forced.
For now, Ziyech remains in limbo, balancing training sessions in familiar surroundings with the hope of securing a contract that will reignite both his club and international career.
Whether that path leads him back to the Gulf or elsewhere remains to be seen, but the next few weeks could prove decisive for one of Morocco’s most technically gifted footballers of the last decade.
