Hakim Ziyech is free to leave Ajax in January amid ‘strong interest’ from Arsenal, but only if the Gunners meet his €50m valuation.

Calciomercato report that Hakim Ziyech can leave Ajax in January, but he has a valuation of €50m. The Italian outlet claim Arsenal have a ‘strong interest’ in the 26-year-old.

The Mirror claim Ziyech is on the radar of several of Europe’s top clubs, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur leading the race. He has a contract with Ajax lasting until 2022, so there’s no real pressure on them to sell.

Ziyech has nine goals and 18 assists for Ajax this season, impressing in the Netherlands again. His record in the Champions League is positive too. Two of his goals and four assists came in his six games in the competition.

The winger got a couple of assists away to Chelsea in their dramatic 4-4 draw this season. He also forced an own goal from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The thing is, Ziyech’s goal contribution record was just as good last season. Ajax director and former Gunner Marc Overmars said then that the player could leave as soon as a top club came in for him, but they didn’t.

Perhaps they see him as a little single-minded, regularly going for goal from any distance and angle. It hasn’t been a big problem for Ajax, but it could certainly cause issues in the wrong team.

Until we see more substantial rumours of Arsenal’s interest, I’d assume they aren’t going to splash out.