Barcelona keen on Denis Zakaria

Barcelona are keen on Denis Zakaria ahead of the summer as they ponder talking to Juventus to find an agreement.

According to Calcio Mercato, Barcelona are looking at Denis Zakaria as a potential arrival in the summer. The on-loan Chelsea midfielder will return to Juventus after the season and is not expected to remain in Turin for long as he does not feature in their plans.

Denis Zakaria signed for Juventus for a very low fee in January 2022. Considering his stature in European football, the move felt like a coup. While he started things rather brightly in Turin, he soon fell out of Massimiliano Allegri’s plans. The manager sanctioned a move away the following summer.

Chelsea took up the opportunity to sign Zakaria on a season-long loan on the deadline day of the summer window. The move hasn’t worked out for various reasons, including injury and loss of form. More so, the constant changing of the management staff could have had an impact.

Zakaria has been an outcast at Chelsea this season with just five starts in the league.

As things stand, Chelsea are unlikely to sign Zakaria permanently, and he will return to Turin for pre-season. Juventus do not see him fit into their plans and may open the doors for sale. The Bianconeri will likely look to make a considerable profit but may not get close to the clause in that Chelsea contract.

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Manchester United were reportedly credited with an interest, but Barcelona are the latest team to arrive on the scene. The Catalans have many key decisions pending for the summer window and may sell some of their stars to make way for new ones.

Their financial situation will prevent them from making any needless signings. Considering the strength available in midfield, Zakaria will not arrive as a necessity signing. If one of their stars leaves, signing the 26-year-old Chelsea outcast would make sense.

Franck Kessie is of interest to Juventus and some Premier League sides. The Ivorian could depart if Barcelona receives a sizeable fee in return. Such a sale would benefit the Catalans in their quest to balance their books; alternatively, they could agree to a modest fee for Zakaria.

Juventus were reportedly considering a part exchange for Kessie and could now involve Zakaria in the equation. If the 26-year-old Chelsea outcast receives a chance to remain in England, that also cannot get discounted.

Much will depend on the offers the 26-year-old Chelsea outcast receives in the next window. The idea would circle around joining a team that challenges for honours and where Zakaria gets to play regularly every week.