West Ham set for Juventus meeting over Denis Zakaria as fee details emerge
West Ham representatives are set to meet with Juventus on Monday (10 July) to continue negotiations for central defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to Tuttosport.
The outlet reported on Sunday (9 July) that the distance on the fee for the Swiss international was not far, with West Ham wanting to spend £15.3million, but Juventus wanting a fee closer to their £19.6million valuation. Meanwhile, the Old Lady are negotiating with Lazio for midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić.
Monday’s meeting may be key in the Hammers’ bid for Zakaria as they look to get a fair price and begin their midfield rebuild following Declan Rice’s departure.
Crunch time
After extensive links to the 26-year-old, West Ham fans may be getting much closer to their man.
Juventus will likely want to use the funds raised by Zakaria’s sale to fund their bid for Milinković-Savić, with Lazio valuing their player at £34million despite the Serb having just a year remaining on his contract [Di Marzio].
The Irons are yet to make a first-team signing this window but will have a massive budget boost following Declan Rice’s £105million move to Premier League runners-up Arsenal [Daily Mail].
As talks appear to be entering their final stages, West Ham fans will hope that both clubs can reach an agreement.
Even if Juventus get their full asking price, Zakaria could turn out to be a coup for the former Chelsea loanee.
Zakaria has also struggled for game time for the last three seasons at least, making a just a combined 18 league games across Chelsea and Juventus [FBRef].
He would relish the chance to get more regular minutes under David Moyes, and will not have to sacrifice playing European football following West Ham’s qualification to the Europa League.
Juventus themselves had a tough season, with a 10 points deduction due to false accounting [The Guardian] meaning they are only eligible for the Europa Conference League – well below their typical Champions League standards.
This may mean the black and whites will be more eager to sell and spend less time haggling over a deal.
In other West Ham news, ExWHUEmployee has shared another update regarding the outgoing Declan Rice.