West Ham to go after Denis Zakaria as Rice replacement

West Ham United is on the brink of securing the services of Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria as they prepare for the departure of their talismanic player, Declan Rice, who is reportedly set to join Arsenal in a staggering £105 million deal this summer.

Denis Zakaria, who had a limited role during his loan spell at Chelsea last season, is seen as the ideal candidate to bolster West Ham’s defensive capabilities.

According to sources, West Ham United has expressed confidence in Zakaria’s defensive qualities, which they believe will help compensate for the imminent loss of Rice. The potential move has received approval from Juventus, who are reportedly content to let Zakaria depart during the current transfer window.

In a separate development, Chelsea Football Club confirmed on Monday that young goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe will continue his development through a loan spell at Bromley. The 20-year-old shot-stopper is set to spend the entirety of the 2023/2024 campaign with the National League club, located in south London.

Sharman-Lowe recently concluded a successful loan stint with Havant in the National League South, where he made 21 appearances for the team during the second half of last season. His performances caught the attention of the England Under-20 national team, as he was selected as a member of the squad for the FIFA World Cup in Argentina earlier this summer.

West Ham’s pursuit of Denis Zakaria represents their proactive approach in the transfer market, as they aim to secure a suitable replacement for Rice, who has been an integral figure for the club.

The impending move of Declan Rice to Arsenal marks a significant shift in his career, as he seeks new challenges and opportunities with the North London side.

The Hammers’ interest in Zakaria highlights their ambition to maintain their competitiveness in the Premier League, ensuring they have the necessary reinforcements in place to fill the void left by Rice’s departure.

Should the transfer be finalized, Zakaria’s arrival at West Ham United will be eagerly anticipated by both fans and the coaching staff, as they look to build upon their recent successes and continue their upward trajectory in English football.

As the summer transfer window progresses, football enthusiasts will closely monitor the developments surrounding the potential signings of Zakaria by West Ham United and Rice by Arsenal, as both clubs aim to strengthen their squads ahead of the upcoming season.