Forward decides to make shock move to Qatar despite Everton interest

Posted by author January 30, 2025 World

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Everton are looking to bring in a new forward before the transfer deadline, but one player thought to be on The Friedkin Group’s radar will not be coming to Goodison Park.

Everton have yet to make any signings in the window and fans are now growing concerning.

Just a few days remain for Premier League clubs to get their businesses down, and the feeling is that Everton are a little light.

David Moyes has made a great start at Everton since replacing Sean Dyche.

But fans feel the Scot needs to strengthen. Alan Shearer has said Everton need two signings to avoid a relegation scrap and many fans will agree with that verdict.

Ernest Nuamah has been linked with Everton and could yet be an addition for the club.

But one man who definitely won’t be coming in now is Hakim Ziyech.

Hakim Ziyech completes free transfer to Al-Duhail in Qatar after Everton links

Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images

Ziyech is a player Everton were linked with for some time.

Ziyech actually rejected a move to Everton in 2023, and then moved to Galatasaray, initially on loan. But the winger quickly regretted that move.

Ahead of the January 2025 window, it was suggested that The Friedkin Group were ready to try and sign Ziyech for Everton, with the player very unhappy at the Turkish giants.

Galatasaray were even willing to help clubs pay Ziyech’s wages to get him off their books.

Everton remained loosely linked to the player, but Moyes will not be bringing in the former Chelsea player, because there has been a big development today.

Ziyech has actually officially just completed a free transfer to Al-Duhail in Qatar.

An opportunity missed for Everton

So Ziyech has now changed clubs, and his move to Al-Duhail is something of a surprise.

Ziyech, now 31, is still a talented player who perhaps had quite a bit more to offer But he has decided to go and play in Qatar, and fans will be able to read between the lines as to why he has gone there.

Hakim Ziyech for Chelsea (2020-2024)

Appearances – 107

Goals – 13

Assists – 14

It’s a bit of a shame, and a potential opportunity missed for Everton, given he’s just gone on a free transfer.

Obviously, Everton need a bit of extra firepower and Ziyech does have Premier League experience from his time at Chelsea, making 107 appearances for the Blues. And at Galatasaray, he got eight goals and five assists in 34 games, and for Morocco, he’s scored 25 in 64.

Hopefully, the Toffees can land an alternative forward before Monday’s deadline.