West Ham in transfer ‘tug of war’ for signing – Club changed value when deal was in ‘home straight’

West Ham United are in the market looking for a new midfielder after having sold Declan Rice to Arsenal for a British record fee.

The Hammers have identified Denis Zakaria as a target and Juventus are keen to get rid of him this summer.

Calciomercato now state the deal to take the 26-year-old to West Ham was in the ‘home straight’ on the basis a loan deal with an option to buy.

It’s claimed this formula had pleased David Moyes’ side, who were also willing to meet the €20m fee requested by the Old Lady.

However, earlier this month, Juventus appointed Cristiano Giuntoli as their new sporting director. The report states his arrival saw the Turin club change the conditions of the deal.

According to Calciomercato, Juve wanted an obligation to buy instead of an option and also raised the asking price. This saw West Ham lower the request to €12-13m, in case of a mandatory purchase option, and thus resulting in a ‘tug of war’ between the two clubs.

West Ham are looking at alternatives to Zakaria while Juve are trying to find another club, if a deal with the Premier League side doesn’t take shape.

Borussia Mönchengladbach, RC Lens and RB Leipzig could be options for the Switzerland international, even if the Hammers remain the ‘first path to take into consideration’ at this moment in time.