Hakim Ziyech's loan from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain collapsed on transfer deadline day; Ligue 1 club allege Chelsea sent through incorrect paperwork after the terms of an agreement had been finalised; Sky Sports News understand there was an 'unforeseen technical issue' at Chelsea HQ
Thursday 2 February 2023 08:57, UK
Paris Saint-Germain head coach Christophe Galtier has had his say on the remarkable story regarding Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, who missed out on a deadline day move following a PR blunder.
Ziyech's loan move collapsed with Ligue 1 unwilling to ratify the transfer following the late submission of documents.
PSG lodged an appeal to the Professional Football League (LFP)'s legal committee, alleging that the Stamford Bridge side had initially sent through the incorrect paperwork after the terms of an agreement had been finalised.
When it was flagged, they claim Chelsea sent the right documents twice but without a signature. When the correct version was received, the deadline had already passed.
Speaking after the 3-1 win over Montpellier, Galtier told reporters: "For various reasons, we could not make it work with the player we targeted.
"I'm satisfied with the squad we had at the start of the season.
"Unfortunately, we could have reinforced it following the departure of Pablo (Sarabia). We could not do it. I believe that the responsibility does not lie with our club. That's how it is, that's life, we look ahead."
The LFP met at 10:30am local time on Wednesday morning to study the paperwork and discuss the case. They decided against signing the loan move off.
The French giants are angered by the administrative gaffes which affected their outgoings, like Ismael Gharbi's temporary switch to Nice.
Ziyech had passed his medical and was waiting in Paris on Tuesday to be unveiled.
Sky Sports News understand Chelsea were sent the loan agreement pre-deadline and asked to sign it. They signed it and sent the email back, but later discovered that it had not been delivered because of an "unforeseen technical issue".
PSG sent Chelsea the agreement again and Chelsea signed it and sent it back at exactly 11pm.
Sky Sports News' chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
"Ziyech cannot believe his move to PSG has fallen through. The player is said to be "incandescent". He was messaging Todd Boehly on Tuesday night pleading to get the deal done.
"The player is still stranded in Paris and is absolutely desperate to join PSG, even willing to pay his own money to get the deal done.
"One source in Paris had told Sky Sports: 'Last night was an absolute shambles. Chelsea will not darken PSG's doorstep ever again. This is not how you do business or treat a player.'
"At lunchtime of Tuesday, the player arrived in Paris with all the procedure set up for a loan deal with just a final discussion on the option to buy or not and fee to be agreed.
"Ziyech was at PSG offices from early evening onwards when he and his agent started to get concerned with Chelsea, but there was no indication the deal wouldn't happen.
"The player started texting Boehly directly pleading to hurry up, and that he was happy and even contributing personally to the financials to get the deal done. Eventually, this was agreed despite the 'shambles'."
Sky Sports' Nick Wright:
"Having spent north of £300m, more than five times as much as any other Premier League club, Chelsea better hope they are winners. Todd Boehly's assault on the transfer market demands scrutiny but what's certain is that their squad is considerably stronger for it.
"A British-record £106.8m deal for Enzo Fernandez, following a protracted transfer saga, capped another extraordinary window for the Blues, the Argentine being one of eight new faces.
The spending splurge takes their outlay for the season past £600m and leaves head coach Graham Potter with selection headaches all over the pitch, but there is plenty for supporters to get excited about as Chelsea prepare for the second half of the campaign.
"Mykhailo Mudryk, an £88.5m signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, was electrifying on his debut against Liverpool, while Joao Felix's performance against Fulham - before the sending off that marred it - showed he could have a transformative impact too.
"Noni Madueke will hope to showcase his huge talent, his £29m arrival from PSV Eindhoven equipping Chelsea with an entirely new front three, while Benoit Badiashile has already slotted into the defence and big things are expected for Andrey Santos, Malo Gusto and David Datro Fofana.
"The financials are mind-boggling. The lengthy contracts too. But the overriding feeling among fans is one of excitement and understandably so."
