Hakim Ziyech's next chapter could take him to Brazil.
After his departure from Wydad Casablanca, Botafogo remain determined to complete a deal for the Moroccan winger, despite the player's last-minute decision to reconsider his move to Rio de Janeiro.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, negotiations had reached an advanced stage, with Ziyech initially agreeing to join the Brazilian club on a contract running until December 2028.
A Move That Came Close
The proposed transfer had gone far beyond initial discussions.
Ziyech had reportedly already recorded a presentation video wearing the Botafogo shirt and even had a flight ticket booked to travel to Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, September 6.
However, the 33-year-old eventually asked for additional time to consider the move, leaving the Brazilian club waiting for his final decision.
Botafogo Refuse to Give Up
Despite the change of heart, Botafogo have not closed the door.
The Rio-based club continue to view Ziyech as one of their priorities for strengthening the attack and remain confident that they can convince the Moroccan to make the move before the Brazilian transfer window closes on September 11.
Several Botafogo players have also reportedly reached out to Ziyech to reassure him about life and football in Brazil.
Among them is Danilo Pereira, who previously played alongside the Moroccan at Ajax, as well as Alex Telles.
What Changed Ziyech's Mind?
According to the same report, Ziyech's hesitation came after a conversation with Moroccan attacking midfielder Zakariya Labyad, who currently plays for Corinthians.
Concerns surrounding the quality of pitches in Brazil reportedly contributed to Ziyech reconsidering the move.
Botafogo, however, appear determined to address those concerns and keep the negotiations alive.
Tensions at Wydad
Ziyech's uncertain future comes after a difficult period at Wydad Casablanca.
The Moroccan international recently appeared at the Mohamed Benjelloun complex accompanied by a legal officer to document the conditions under which he was expected to train.
Days earlier, he had been left out of a friendly against Renaissance Club Athletic Zemamra despite being present at the stadium and preparing to join his teammates for the warm-up.
Ziyech subsequently publicly criticized Wydad president Ibrahim El Assri, whom he believes was behind the decision and his exclusion from the club's training camp in Agadir.
The Contract Question
At the heart of the disagreement is reportedly Ziyech's salary.
Wydad's new management considers his financial package too significant as the club looks to reduce costs and reshape its squad, while the player does not want to accept a reduction to the terms agreed when he joined the Casablanca giants.
For now, Ziyech remains in Casablanca, following an individual training program while his future remains unresolved.
A New Adventure in Brazil?
The coming days could therefore prove decisive.
Botafogo have already shown how seriously they want the Moroccan star, and with the Brazilian transfer window closing on September 11, the club still has time to revive the agreement that once appeared almost certain.
From Casablanca to Rio de Janeiro, Hakim Ziyech's next destination remains one of the most intriguing stories of the Moroccan transfer window.