West Ham United are in talks to sign Denis Zakaria but now face a battle with Lens in the race for the Juventus midfielder.
Denis Zakaria has become a top target for West Ham United but there is rival interest from Ligue 1 side Lens.
Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio reports that West Ham have entered into negotiations to sign Zakaria from Juventus.
Zakaria spent last season on loan at Chelsea, who had the option to sign the Juventus man permanently this summer.
Chelsea said no though, and Zakaria is now heading back to Juventus – where he isn’t wanted either.
The door is open for West Ham to strike a deal and it’s claimed that two calls have already taken place between Juventus and the Hammers.
Rather than a loan, this would be a permanent deal with West Ham ready to pay cash to bring Zakaria back to London.
West Ham face Lens battle for Denis Zakaria
David Moyes will hope that another shot at Premier League football will be enough to sign Zakaria.
Hailed as an ‘absolute machine’ by his former Servette coach Adam Owen, Zakaria has shown real quality as a box-to-box or holding midfielder over the years.
Things didn’t work for Zakaria at Chelsea but Zakaria was a star at Borussia Monchengladbach and he could get back to his best with West Ham.
One problem is emerging though as Lens are also keen on Zakaria.
Foot Mercato report that Lens are seeking a potential replacement for the all-action Seko Fofana, who has an offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Zakaria fits the bill and Lens may believe that they can land him.
Lens have Champions League football on offer for next season and they proven to be a great platform for players like Fofana, Facundo Medina, Kevin Danso and Lois Openda.
Lens pose a major threat to West Ham’s hopes, with the two clubs potentially going head-to-head for Zakaria this summer.
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