The Libyan club Al Ittihad has moved for Hakim Ziyech with an attractive financial proposal as tensions with Wydad AC mount, Africafoot reported on Wednesday. The Tripoli-based side sees the 33-year-old’s situation as a chance to sign an experienced regional player and aims to advance talks swiftly. Ziyech remains under contract with the Moroccan club until June 2027, creating a key obstacle to any immediate transfer. Goal.com reported that the interest adds another layer to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the former Chelsea winger’s future.
Ziyech arrived at Wydad’s Mohamed Benjelloun Complex on Tuesday accompanied by a judicial bailiff to formally record his compliance with the club’s directive for individual training in Casablanca, Africafoot said. The player had been excluded from the squad’s pre-season camp in Agadir, which runs until September 12 and includes friendlies against local sides. Wydad’s administrative director informed the bailiff that the decision was technical and made by the coach. The presence of the bailiff reflects how the disagreement has expanded from financial matters into administrative and training issues, according to the same outlet.
The roots of the conflict lie in negotiations over Ziyech’s contract, with Wydad seeking to reduce his monthly salary of around 100,000 euros and replace part of it with instalment bonuses to ease budget strain, Goal.com reported. The player has rejected all such proposals and insists the original terms from his October 2025 agreement must stand. Multiple meetings between Ziyech and club officials including president Ibrahim El Asri have failed to bridge the gap. Radio Mars reports cited by several outlets indicate the club sent Ziyech an email outlining the individual programme he was to follow.
Ziyech publicly challenged El Asri on social media after his omission from a friendly against Renaissance Zemamra and the Agadir trip, Goal.com stated. The player wrote, “Go and ask your president why he refused to allow me to play the match and not to go to Agadir. Maybe he will lie about it as always.” Wydad teammates including Aymane El Wafi and Walid Nassi have posted messages of support for Ziyech on their social media accounts. The public exchange has intensified calls from parts of the fan base for a resolution while raising questions about his role under coach Paulo Sergio.
Ziyech joined Wydad on a free two-year deal in October 2025 after terminating his contract with Qatar’s Al Duhail by mutual consent in May that year, Reuters reported. The signing was viewed as one of the biggest in Botola Pro history and was driven by the player’s wish to play in his ancestral homeland, with the Confederation of African Football describing it as a significant boost for the league. He had previously featured for Ajax, Chelsea and Galatasaray before his spell in Qatar. His 64 caps and 25 goals for Morocco further underline the profile that has drawn the Libyan interest.
Wydad management is exploring options that could include selling Ziyech’s contract or agreeing a mutual termination if no compromise emerges, Morocco World News reported. The possibility of the player taking his case to FIFA over unpaid dues or contractual breaches remains if talks collapse entirely. Al Ittihad’s proposal could serve as a viable exit if all parties align on compensation to Wydad. No final decision has been reached as negotiations continue this week.
