The idea has something to make Marseille supporters dream. Hakim Ziyech, the elegant Moroccan playmaker, free from any contract, could land on the Canebière as a joker. After an already XXL transfer window, it would be the icing on an already well stocked cake. The presence of his compatriot and former teammate in selection, Medhi Benatia, in sports management, seems a major asset. On paper, everything is aligned for a magnificent blow. However, the path is still long, and strewn with pitfalls.
The wage bill, the number one enemy
The first obstacle, and the most important, is financial. To be able to afford Ziyech, even free, OM must imperatively degrease. The DNCG watches over the grain, and the club's wage bill is already in the red. To make room for the Moroccan, you need a departure, and a departure that is expensive. The names of Amine Harit and Neal Maupay are on everyone's lips. As long as none of the two has found takers in a championship where the transfer window is still open (Türkiye, Greece …), the Ziyech file will remain at neutral.
Then come the player's salary claims. Even if he is ready to make a significant effort to find a project in Europe, his emoluments remain high. Added to this is a reputation as a player sometimes complicated to manage, with disputes spent in his former clubs. So many red flags for a direction that also seeks serenity.
Will Benatia convince Ziyech to sign OM.
Ziyech, a risky sports bet
Beyond the financial aspect, Ziyech's very profile raises questions. At 32, he came out of a very difficult season in Qatar, with starry statistics. His liabilities of injuries, including a failure for the medical examination in Al-Nassr in 2023, encouraged caution. Can OM afford to bet on a player whose physique is an unknown? The club has managed to relaunch players like Alexis Sanchez or Aubameyang, but the bet Ziyech seems even more risky.
Finally, there is competition. OM is not alone at the time. Spanish clubs like Elche are also on the ranks and could offer him what he is looking for above all: guaranteed playing time for the African Cup of Nations. For the moment, the file is therefore a subtle mixture of envy and prudence. The dream is allowed, but the obstacles are very real. To see Ziyech in white, it will take an alignment of almost perfect planets.
