Rabat – Hakim Ziyech’s future at Wydad Athletic Club remains one of the biggest unanswered questions of the Moroccan summer transfer window. After months of speculation linking the Moroccan international with a departure, the recent election of Ibrahim El Asri as the club’s new president has added a new dimension to the story.
For weeks, multiple reports indicated that Ziyech had made up his mind to leave Wydad following the announced departure of former president Hicham Aït Menna. However, with a new administration now taking charge and no official statement from either the player or the club, the possibility of a change in plans cannot be ruled out.
Aït Menna’s departure’s impact
When Ziyech returned to Morocco by signing for Wydad, the move was widely viewed as more than just a football transfer.
According to several reports, the former Chelsea and Ajax star was convinced by Hicham Aït Menna’s ambitious sporting project, which aimed to restore Wydad to continental prominence while attracting internationally recognized players.
That project, however, was put into question when Aït Menna announced his departure.
Reports from Africafoot claimed Ziyech informed club officials that he intended to leave after learning the president who had persuaded him to join would no longer be in charge. Sources close to the player suggested he was reluctant to remain during another period of administrative and sporting transition.
The uncertainty also fueled reports linking him with a return to Europe rather than continuing his career in the Botola Pro.
Ajax remains the most realistic destination
Among the clubs linked with Ziyech, Ajax Amsterdam has consistently emerged as the strongest candidate.
Dutch football analyst Maarten Vledder revealed on the Kale & Kokkie podcast that he had recently spoken with Ziyech, who reportedly remains interested in returning to Amsterdam if the opportunity arises.
According to Vledder, Ziyech still has one year remaining on his Wydad contract but benefits from a clause that could allow him to leave should an attractive sporting project present itself.
A return to Ajax would represent a full-circle moment for the Wizard.
Ziyech became one of the Eredivisie’s biggest stars between 2026 and 2020, helping Ajax win league titles and reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2019 before earning a €40 million (374.48 million Moroccan Dirhams) move to Chelsea.
Reports also suggested that despite receiving financially attractive offers from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Ziyech favors returning to Dutch football, believing it offers the best environment to regain his rhythm and remain competitive for future international competitions with Morocco.
New president, new project
The general picture at Wydad changed significantly this week after Ibrahim El Asri officially succeeded Hicham Aït Menna as club president following the general assembly.
Rather than immediately making decisions regarding the first-team squad, the new leadership has prioritized building the club’s sporting structure.
The board’s first objective is appointing a sporting director and a new head coach before making definitive decisions on transfers, returning loanees, contract renewals, and departures.
Former Wydad defender Badr El Kaddouri has emerged as one of the leading candidates to become sporting director, while Uruguayan coach Daniel Carreño is reportedly the preferred choice to take charge of the first team. Former Wydad coach Adel Ramzi has also reappeared among the names being considered.
Only after these appointments are finalized is the club expected to evaluate the futures of several senior players whose situations remain unresolved.
That process could also include Hakim Ziyech.
Could the new administration convince him to stay?
Unlike previous reports, the arrival of a new president creates a completely different context.
If the incoming sporting director and head coach present an ambitious project capable of competing domestically and in Africa, Wydad could attempt to persuade Ziyech to remain for another season.
The club is entering a rebuilding phase after finishing fifth in the Botola Pro and exiting the CAF Confederation Cup in the quarter-finals, results well below supporters’ expectations.
The new administration is expected to reshape the squad, with several experienced players already leaving after their contracts expired, including Nordin Amrabat, Mohamed Rayhi, Wissam Ben Yedder and Brazilian forward Arthur Vindroski.
At the same time, the technical staff will evaluate numerous players returning from loan spells before determining who fits into the club’s long-term plans.
With so many changes underway, Wydad’s sporting vision for the coming season remains under construction.
Injury delayed the conversation
Another factor complicating Ziyech’s future is his physical condition.
In June, Wydad confirmed that the Moroccan international had successfully undergone surgery before beginning a rehabilitation program under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.
Although the operation was successful, the club has not announced a timetable for his return to competitive action.
His recovery means discussions over his sporting future may only accelerate once he returns to full fitness.
A short productive spell
Despite being hampered by injuries throughout the season, Ziyech proved his quality whenever he was available.
He finished his Wydad campaign with eight goals and two assists in just 13 appearances across all competitions.
In the Botola Pro alone, he scored seven goals and registered two assists in only nine league matches, averaging a goal every 81 minutes, one of the league’s most efficient attacking records.
His arrival also significantly increased Wydad’s international profile, attracting global attention to the Moroccan club.
Decision expected in the coming weeks
For now, neither Ziyech nor Wydad has announced a final decision.
While earlier reports suggested his departure was almost certain following Aït Menna’s exit, the appointment of Ibrahim El Asri has effectively reset the club’s sporting project.
Much will likely depend on the appointments of the new sporting director and head coach, as well as the vision they present for the club’s future.
Until then, Ziyech’s future remains open. Ajax continues to be viewed as the most realistic destination should he leave, but Wydad’s new leadership may yet have an opportunity to convince one of Morocco’s biggest football stars to stay and become a cornerstone of its new era.
