Four players Chelsea could let go this summer after signing Hakim Ziyech
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group H - Chelsea v Ajax Amsterdam - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - November 5, 2019 Ajax's Hakim Ziyech celebrates their third goal with Quincy Promes REUTERS/David Klein
Chelsea are preparing to let four players leave the club in the summer after agreeing a deal to sign Ajax star Hakim Ziyech, according to reports.
The Blues have struck an agreement with the Dutch champions which will see the attacker move to Stamford Bridge for £37.8m.
With the Morocco international set to arrive, the Mirror report that Frank Lampard would be willing to offload Olivier Giroud, Pedro, Willian and Michy Batshuayi at the end of the season.
Willian has been a key player this term but with Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi also fighting to play out wide next term, the 31-year-old, whose deal expires in the summer, could depart.
Willian has been a key player since signing for Chelsea in 2013.
Batshuayi is contracted until 2021 but has played second-fiddle behind Tammy Abraham, while Giroud and Pedro’s deals run out at the end of June.
Ziyech has registered an eye-catching 48 goals and 82 assists in 160 matches since joining Ajax from FC Twente in 2016.
Lampard will now be hoping that the exciting 26-year-old can replicate that form in the Premier League.