Chelsea ace Hakim Ziyech will not travel to Cameroon in January. (GETTY Images)
According to ESPN, FC Barcelona have shortlisted Chelsea duo Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner as alternatives for Raheem Sterling of Manchester City. The Blues duo has failed to meet their expectations and is targeted by the Catalan club.
Barcelona are preparing a list of individuals who have struggled to make a mark or get regular minutes at their current clubs. They had Sterling in their plans but were discouraged by the cost involved. Man City does not want to sell him without a mandatory clause, and it does not suit a financially stricken Barca to pursue such an arrangement.
Joan Laporta sees Ziyech and Werner as potential reinforcements who could arrive on a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season. He wants the transfer in this regard as that is the only way to bring in players to back the new manager, Xavi Hernandez.
The 28-year-old has failed to reach the level he had shown at Ajax, following his €40 million move. The German striker has fared better than his teammate but has struggled in front of the goal. Thomas Tuchel still prefers the latter and has given him six starts across all competitions in the nine games he played this season.
The Moroccan failed to make his mark when opportunities came due to the recent injury plague. He has fallen down the pecking order and could struggle to get more minutes. He could get more game time as the season enters the cramped fixture list, but he would only play second fiddle role should he fail to turn things around.
The Spanish club has enquired about the services of the attacking duo to Marina Granovskaia. However, there is no news about her stance on the interest. The Blaugrana club kept tabs previously on Cesar Azpilicueta, who is in the last year of his contract.
Since the English club is competing on multiple fronts this season, it is unlikely that they would deplete their squad. This is the case when the squad depth has helped them to overcome the injuries they suffered this season.
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