Having sold Declan Rice to Arsenal, West Ham United now need to find themselves a new midfielder, or two, to make up for their now ex-star’s exit.
One of the players being looked at is Denis Zakaria, with numerous claims in Italy stating the two clubs were in talks, and now Aston Villa are getting involved.
That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport, who recall that contacts between Juventus and West Ham have ‘been going on for weeks’, even if no agreement has been found to date.
This delay in finalising matters has allowed other clubs to come forward, and the Italian newspaper state that Aston Villa and German clubs ‘have also taken information’ about the Switzerland international.
One of the sticking points between West Ham and the Turin side was the fact the Serie A club are being very insistent in the way the transfer should be put together.
The Hammers are wanting a loan with an option to buy, while new sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is ‘adamant’ that the deal should be a full transfer or, at most, a loan with an obligation buy.
Therefore, if Aston Villa can put the money up front, they could easily get ahead of West Ham, who would then be forced to cough up the cash as well.
