Marc Overmars tells Arsenal to sign 26-year-old to replace Mesut Ozil
Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars says Arsenal should sign Hakim Ziyech to replace Mesut Ozil
Marc Overmars believes Arsenal should sign Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech to replace Mesut Ozil this summer.
The Morocco international was a key part of Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals before Tottenham Hotspur beat the Dutch side on away goals at the Amsterdam Arena.
Ziyech scored five times in 17 games in the Champions League to help Ajax reach the last four of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 1995.
The 26-year-old netted 16 goals in 29 outings in the Eredivisie as Ajax were crowed the Dutch champions ahead of their bitter rivals PSV Eindhoven last season.
Ajax sporting director Overmars believes Ziyech is a far superior player to Ozil and encouraged Arsenal to sign the Moroccan winger to replace their World Cup winner.
“I believe Hakim Ziyech is better than Mesut Ozil,” Overmars is quoted as saying by Calciomercato.
“I would advise Arsenal to sell Ozil and buy Ziyech for half of the money, but they didn’t listen to me. Now there’s a good chance Hakim will stay at Ajax for another season.”
Ziyech has scored 32 times in 91 games in three seasons in the Dutch top flight, and the African star has also scored seven goals in 34 Champions League fixtures.
Arsenal are in the market to sign a winger in the summer transfer window but the Gunners appear to have set their sights on Crystal Palace’s Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha.
Ozil is the best-paid player at Arsenal despite the former Germany international playing a bit-part role at the north London side under Unai Emery last term.
