West Ham United interest in Denis Zakaria cools down as Monaco advance
West Ham have cooled their interest in Denis Zakaria as they could not reach an agreement on a deal with Juventus, according to Calciomercato.
The Italian publication reported on its website on Thursday (3 August) the Hammers wanted a loan for the midfielder, with Juventus wanting a €20million (£17million) permanent transfer.
Calciomercato added that Monaco are now in talks with Zakaria’s agent to bring the Swiss international to the Ligue 1 club.
“Monaco advances – In the last few hours, the West Ham track has cooled down, with which no agreement was found on the formula, given that the club insisted on the loan,” according to Calciomercato.
“Talks underway between Monaco and the agent of the midfielder, who is not in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans and will leave the Bianconeri: Juve want €20million for a permanent transfer.”
Another setback
The East London side need new faces in the door in almost every department, but none more so than in defensive midfield.
They have lost star man and club captain Declan Rice in that area, with his lack of replacement leaving Hammers fans bewildered as the new season approaches.
The East London outfit get their Premier League campaign underway at Bournemouth on 12 August, and the travelling supporters will be desperate to see a new midfield man take to the pitch in claret and blue.
For now, however, it could be that current midfielder Flynn Downes is promoted to the role alongside Tomas Soucek, with no new arrivals at the London Stadium just yet.
There is time, but this latest development involving Zakaria is a major blow, and comes amid the club’s unsuccessful efforts to bring the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Conor Gallagher to East London from Southampton and Chelsea respectively.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has mooted an exit for one star who isn’t “entirely enamoured” with London Stadium life.