Morocco star Hakim Ziyech’s move to CFR Cluj stalls over wages

The proposed deal to take Morocco international Hakim Ziyech to Romanian giants, CFR Cluj appears to have faltered due to high salary demands.

Without a club since terminating his contract with Al-Duhail last summer, Ziyech was the priority for the eight-time Romanian champion.

However, the former Chelsea and Ajax star winger’s financial demands has become the stumbling block for the move.

Talks have not been particularly fruitful, as he is demanding too high a wage, and this is the sticking point for the Romanian outfit. Ziyech’s colossal salary demands has undermined his potential switch to CFR Cluj.

However, the owner of CFR Cluj, Ioan Varga has confirmed his sides’ decision not to sign Ziyech due to high salary demands.

“Ziyech wanted at least €2.5 million a year. I’ll never give that kind of money to a player we can’t use,” Varga told Romanian media.

With the 32-year-old winger still without a club, his chances of joining the national team hangs in the balance as coach Walid Regragui intends to hand call up to players playing actively at club level.

Morocco have already secured qualification to the 2026 World Cup tournament and are also in line for the 2025 AFCON tournament to be staged in their country between December and January 2026.