Mueez Ajao
– Chelsea have reportedly agreed a late deal to sign Juventus defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria on loan.
– According to Fabrizio Romano, Zakaria is currently undergoing his medical in Turin having already agreed personal terms, while the Blues will also have the option to sign the Swiss international permanently.
Denis Zakaria completed his medical as new Chelsea player and Juventus are preparing all the paperworks. 🚨🔵 #CFC #DeadlineDay
Exclusive: structure of the deal ⤵️
▫️ Loan with £30m buy option, NOT mandatory;
▫️ Potential five year contract;
▫️ Chelsea to cover 100% salary. pic.twitter.com/7RN3vKfaGZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2022
Here’s Denis Zakaria on his first night as Chelsea player, right after medical tests completed in Turin. He will sign the contract in the next minutes. 🚨🔵 #CFC #DeadlineDay
…here we go confirmed!@romeoagresti 🎥 pic.twitter.com/cn73Ck1ls0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2022
– The deal has moved very quickly with Chelsea said to have only opened talks with Juventus on Thursday, having finally given up on their pursuit of PSV star Ibrahim Sangare.
Also Read: BREAKING: Chelsea and Barca reach agreement in principle for Aubameyang
– Thomas Tuchel has been desperate to bolster his midfield options after a difficult start to the season, where his side have won just two of their opening five games, suffering embarrassing defeats at Leeds and Southampton in the process.
– Central midfield has been a problem area, with N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic suffering with injuries, while Jorginho and Conor Gallagher are struggling with form.
– Another option in Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been remodelled into a right-wing-back, while Billy Gilmour looks set to leave Stamford Bridge, with Brighton agreeing to buy the young Scotsman for £9million.
– Zakaria made his name at Borussia Monchengladbach and only moved to Juventus back in January, with his contract with the Bundesliga club nearing its end, but his game-time in Italy has been very limited so far.
Excl: Chelsea have just approached Juve for Denis Zakaria! Talks have just started as Sangaré deal is off — ongoing right now. 🚨🔵 #CFC #DeadlineDay
Chelsea are offering loan with buy option. pic.twitter.com/pBVdWizu6U
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2022
– The 25-year-old is one of many deals Chelsea are aiming to complete before the transfer deadline at 11pm on Thursday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nearing a move from Barcelona, while Edson Alvarez is also wanted but Ajax are unwilling to sell.
Denis Zakaria to Chelsea, here we go! Total agreement reached with Juventus as revealed earlier. Loan deal agreed, personal terms also approved. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Exclusive news confirmed. Medical ongoing in Italy. ✅ pic.twitter.com/GemeOnPEzW
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 1, 2022
– Todd Boehly has already spent over £240m in his first summer as owner of Chelsea, with the likes of Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly arriving in West London.
