West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, as David Moyes seeks to replace Declan Rice.
Rice has been the subject of a bidding war between Arsenal and Manchester City. After two bids were rejected for Rice, Arsenal launched a third offer of £100m plus £5m in add-ons on Tuesday night and talks with West Ham over the structure of the deal are nearing completion. Manchester City had a £90m bid rejected earlier this week and have seemingly pulled out of the race.
With Rice close to completing a move to Arsenal, David Moyes will need a new central midfielder in his squad ahead of the new campaign. According to reliable Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio, West Ham have entered negotiations with Juventus over a deal for Denis Zakaria.
Zakaria, 26, had a largely forgettable spell at Chelsea on loan last season, making just 11 appearances. Following an injury-hit season, the Blues decided against triggering the buy option which saw the Swiss international return to Juventus at the beginning of June.
Denis Zakaria to West Ham United – A good option for the club?
It is no secret that West Ham United need to bring in midfield reinforcements, especially with their skipper Declan Rice edging closer to joining Arsenal in a bumper £105million deal.
Denis Zakaria is in talks now with West Ham United on a permanent move. @DiMarzio pic.twitter.com/nUa66MJJGu
— West Ham Xtra (@WestHamXtra) June 27, 2023
Rice had made it clear that he wanted to join a club playing in the Champions League, and David Moyes has the responsibility of replacing the England international adequately in his squad.
The West Ham boss has recently set his sights on signing Denis Zakaria from Juventus. Zakaria had an underwhelming loan spell at Chelsea, with injuries and inconsistency limiting him to just 11 appearances. However, he remains a quality player who needs to stay injury free and play more regularly at a club to regain his form. And that club could well be West Ham.
Zakaria could be a smart replacement for Rice in West Ham’s midfield. The Switzerland international is technically sound, energetic, combative and possesses great aerial ability.
He works hard off the ball and is a top tackler, while the 26-year-old’s versatility should appeal to Moyes as he is capable of playing as a No.6, No.8 or in a defensive trio.
He fits the profile of a player the West Ham midfield lacks at the moment, and with Rice set to leave the London Stadium, Zakaria could complement Lucas Paqueta in a double pivot.
The Swiss midfielder was a big flop at Stamford Bridge last season, but so were a lot of the players in the Chelsea squad as they had an awful season collectively. Zakaria needs a manager who can trust him and help get back his lost mojo, and Moyes could be that person.