Denis Zakaria has described the feeling of joining Juventus on deadline day as ‘exceptional’ after snubbing Liverpool’s reported transfer interest to leave Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Swiss sealed a €4.5m (£4m) move to the Serie A side on Monday as Die Fohlen sought to avoid his free exit. Zakaria only had five-months left on his contract at Borussia-Park and the Bundesliga outfit announced before the New Year that he would not extend his stay.
Juventus will also make their payments to Borussia Monchengladbach for Zakaria’s transfer over the course of three financial years. While the 25-year-old has penned a contract at the Allianz Stadium to the summer of 2026 to resolve his future before becoming a free agent.
Liverpool had also shown an interest in signing Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach in January before his transfer to Juventus. ESPN report the Reds, plus Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, made the ‘most serious’ approaches to Die Fohlen.
Manchester United also sounded out his availability, but preferred to wait until the end of the season. Additionally, Ralf Rangnick’s interim appointment actually counted against the Red Devils given the uncertainty it created around the long-term picture at Old Trafford.
Liverpool target Zakaria overjoyed to seal Juventus transfer
Zakaria, however, is overjoyed to have sealed his last-ditch transfer to Juventus, despite Liverpool et al’s interest in his services. Now, the Swiss star is eager to make an impact in Turin and contribute toward their trophy pursuits. He said, via quotes by Calciomercato:
“Signing up for Juventus is something exceptional for me. I have yet to realise it. It is a great club, I am very honoured and proud to be part of it. I will give my best to make my contribution. I can help the team to recover balls, it is one of my qualities.
“I can give my contribution in progression and with my dynamism. I can contribute with my mentality to want to win all the games, even though that this is already the mentality of the team. I want to put my energy available to the team to achieve important results.
“My goal is to win trophies with Juventus. Juventus is a great club, which every year must win something. For me it is important to play well, give joy to the fans and win trophies.”
Zakaria can help Juventus win Serie A, the Champions League and Coppa Italia this season after snubbing a transfer to Liverpool and by leaving Borussia Monchengladbach. However, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are 11-points from league leaders Inter Milan after 23 games.
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