Chelsea have signed Denis Zakaria on a season-long loan deal from Juventus, with a purchase option reportedly set at £30 million.
Denis Zakaria has joined Chelsea on a season-long loan deal, the west London club have confirmed. The Swiss international arrives from Serie A club Juventus for the remainder of the season, and the Blues will have the opportunity to acquire the 25-year-old midfielder permanently for £30 million when the loan period ends.
Juventus were expecting a few departures before the end of the summer transfer window but might not have envisaged Denis Zakaria’s departure. The Serie A giants reportedly remained keen to move on Adrien Rabiot and Arthur Melo but ended up keeping the former.
Zakaria was considered by many as the future of Juventus’s midfield, as the Swiss international only arrived back in January from Borussia Monchengladbach. However, as Chelsea made a late approach on deadline day, the Serie A giants were quick to agree a move with the Premier League bigwigs for the transfer of the 25-year-old midfielder.
Chelsea have now confirmed the capture of Zakaria, who joins on loan until the end of the season. Juventus have inserted a purchase option worth a reported £30 million in the contract, which Chelsea could redeem after the current campaign.
Welcome to Chelsea, Denis Zakaria! ? #ZakariaIsChelsea pic.twitter.com/efdBVdefLV
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 2, 2022
The Swiss international becomes the second player to leave Juventus on deadline day after Arthur Melo sealed his move to Liverpool on a similar deal. Zakaria becomes Chelsea’s second signing on deadline day after the club agreed on a deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Barcelona.
Thomas Tuchel will be pleased with the outcome of the club’s late dash in the window, and the Chelsea manager will feel he has sufficient quality in his squad to challenge the west London club’s rivals.
Upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Zakaria expressed his pleasure to join the club and said, “I want to say hi to all the Chelsea fans. I’m very happy and proud to be a Blue, and I cannot wait to see you soon at Stamford Bridge.”
Zakaria will have to face intense competition at Chelsea, with Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher all vying for two midfield spots. Zakaria was primarily used as a defensive midfielder for many years of his club career but also possesses the ability to play an advanced role.
