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The owner of Romanian side CFR Cluj has revealed why they opted against pursuing former Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech.
Ziyech joined the Blues during the summer of 2020 from Ajax in a deal worth up to £40million.
The Morocco international went on to feature 107 times for Chelsea, finding the net on 14 occasions and playing a crucial part in securing multiple major honours.
Chelsea lifted the Champions League in 2021, with Ziyech proving instrumental during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.
The winger subsequently helped the Blues win the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup before departing in the summer of 2024 following a season-long stint at Galatasaray.
Ziyech then enjoyed a brief six-month period in Qatar with Al Duhail earlier this year before becoming available on a free transfer once more this summer.
Cluj had been in discussions to secure Ziyech as a free agent, but the club's owner, Ioan Varga, has outlined why the Romanian side have chosen to withdraw their interest in the deal.
"He [Ziyech] failed. He has a problem with his left knee that I was informed about," Varga told Romanian news outlet Prosport.
"He is a very good boy, but I would not risk so much money for a player who could have medical problems. I also studied him in the games at Galatasaray and he seemed to play with some fear.
"We made the decision to withdraw from the discussions. I am sorry, because he is a special boy, but we do not want to take any risks."
Varga added: "He wanted €2.5million a year (£2.17million) and I wouldn't have given that money to a player we risked not being able to use. I want him to be healthy and be able to play for another team."
Ziyech's future remains uncertain as he continues to navigate the free agent market.
The 32-year-old has been out of competitive action since May 10, when he last played for Al Duhail in the Qatar Cup against Al Sadd. His last match in Europe was on December 1 last year, representing Galatasaray against Eyupspor in the Turkish Super Lig.
Chelsea can end the 2024/25 Premier League season on a high, but it is never quiet at Stamford Bridge and the summer looks set to be one full of news, with Enzo Maresca looking for transfer to bolster his squad.
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