West Ham United now in permanent transfer negotiations for former Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria
West Ham have now entered negotiations with Juventus to sign former Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Irons are heavily in the market for central midfielders amid the race between Arsenal and Manchester City to sign captain Declan Rice, with Tomas Soucek possibly also leaving this summer.
After looking likely to have missed out on prime targets Edson Alvarez and Joao Palhinha from Ajax and Fulham respectively West Ham turned their attentions to the 26-year-old who spent last season at Stamford Bridge, and developments look to be moving quickly.
Posting on Twitter Monday night (26 June) the Sky Italia journalist reported on his website that the Hammers have “entered into negotiations” for the Swiss international after Chelsea chose not to take up his permanent option this summer.
“There have already been two calls between Hammers and Juventus and the player could return to the Premier League on a permanent basis.”
Sensible
He won’t fill any gap left by Rice on his own but there is good reason to believe that Zakaria can be a solid addition at the London Stadium.
A full international at an age where he should be entering his prime at the position, and with Premier League experience, he should improve David Moyes’ options.
He got lost in the shuffle amid vast numbers at Chelsea last season despite acquitting himself fairly well in the sporadic opportunities he did get.
That was no doubt a frustration for him that he would like to put right, and with Juventus apparently in no position to make use of his abilities amid turmoil of their own in Serie A it appears that circumstances might have lined up perfectly for West Ham to take advantage of.
As one of two or three additions at the position this summer he seems to fit the bill and with the Old Lady clearly wanting to shift him quickly the fee should logically be manageable.
There is plenty of movement still to come in the midfield transfer market this summer but the Irons appear to be getting on with this one and could be about to make a good start.
In other West Ham news, another target the Hammers are thought to be leading the race for is set for Premier League transfer developments this week.