West Ham United are still negotiating with Juventus for midfielder Denis Zakaria, but Gianluca Di Marzio believes the Hammers must improve their offer.
Declan Rice left the Hammers on 15 July, with the England international poised to complete his big-money move to Arsenal, and the club is aggressively looking for replacements, with Zakaria now a major target.
On 13 July, Sky Sports Italy journalist Di Marzio reported on his website that West Ham are making “small steps” to sign their first signing of the summer and have placed a proposal of £11.1 million.
According to a Sky Sports Italia journalist on Friday night (14 July), the two clubs are still in talks for the Swiss international, but the Hammers would need to up their offer.
Furthermore, Di Marzio has stated that Zakaria would need some time to consider West Ham’s offer before accepting.
“The negotiation for Zakaria to West Ham continues,” he tweeted. “The player still wants to reflect a little before accepting, but West Ham also needs to increase the offer a little.”
A race against the clock
Di Marzio’s recent update undoubtedly throws a wrench in West Ham United’s plans to eventually sign their first summer signing.
It appears that Zakaria has yet to make a decision on his future, which means the club is in a race against time to boost their team following Rice’s reported exit.
There are now less than four weeks until the start of the new season, and there has been no movement on the incoming front for the East Londoners, which is a major concern.
However, Rice’s exit means the Hammers have finally received the big-money windfall they were expecting, and we should now see the club take action in identifying successors for the England international.
Hopefully, Zakaria makes his decision soon, as the Swiss international would be a wonderful addition to the Irons squad and a significant upgrade over what David Moyes currently has at his disposal.
Replacing Rice, however, will be a difficult challenge; they will most likely need three midfielders to come through the door to compensate for that massive loss.
In other West Ham United news, joint-chairman David Sullivan writes a heartfelt letter to fans and Declan Rice’s exit is confirmed.
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