Hakim Ziyech's proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain did not get completed on transfer deadline day after Chelsea reportedly sent the wrong documents.
Chelsea looked like they were prepared to let the winger leave on the final day of the window after a £323 million January splurge on eight new signings.
He arrived in Paris to complete his medical on Tuesday after PSG reached an agreement with Chelsea for him to join on loan, with no option to buy included.
But then, shockingly, the deal did not happen before the window slammed shut after some serious deadline day drama.
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Multiple reports from France say that Chelsea sent the incorrect documents over to PSG on THREE occasions, holding up the deal.
When the necessary paperwork did make its way over to Paris, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says it was too late and the deadline passed without the contract being registered and validated.
At 11:42pm on Tuesday, Romano tweeted to say the deal was currently off and that PSG were preparing to lodge an appeal with French football governing body LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel).
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The Athletic say a PSG source described the situation as a "Class A circus" but there has been no comment from Chelsea as of yet.
The gaffe evoked memories of David de Gea's mooted dream move to Real Madrid allegedly being scuppered due to a faulty fax machine in 2015.
Ziyech, a £33 million signing in 2020, is now left in limbo and will be anxiously waiting for the transfer to get the green light.
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The former Ajax man has not scored a club goal since March but had an impressive World Cup campaign with history-making Morocco, who reached the semi-finals.
He was hoping to reunite with compatriot Achraf Hakimi at club level and give PSG another attacking option after they let Pablo Sarabia depart for Wolves.
Ziyech has made 10 appearances in the Premier League this season, making four starts. AC Milan, Roma and RB Leipzig were all interested in snapping him up in the January window.
Topics: Hakim Ziyech, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Ligue 1