Chelsea reach late transfer agreement over £24.3m star, medical now underway

Chelsea transfer target Denis Zakaria is undergoing a medical in Turin ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge, according to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.

It was reported by Fabrizio Romano earlier this evening that Chelsea and Juventus were in discussions over a loan move for the forward with an option to buy.

Indeed, it seems Chelsea are intent on boosting their midfield options before the close of business on deadline day – they’ve also been strongly linked with Ajax’s engine room operator Edson Alvarez.

That’s perhaps due to the fact Thomas Tuchel has been forced to rely on Jorginho and Conor Gallagher in midfield for much of the season so far, with Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante’s involvement limited due to injury problems.

As a consequence, Chelsea have looked a little too open at times – they’ve conceded eight goals in just five games in the Premier League.

However, it now appears they’ve found a last-minute solution in the form of Zakaria, who Transfermarkt value at £24.3m.

According to Bridge, Chelsea and Juventus have reached an agreement over the 25-year-old, signing him on loan with an option to buy.

He told GiveMeSport: “Zakaria deal with Juventus agreed – loan with option to buy. Medical now in Turin.”

So while the deal hasn’t gone through just yet, it appears the Switzerland international will arrive at Stamford Bridge before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Chelsea are also believed to have agreed a deal with Barcelona for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Marcos Alonso going the other way.

And once Aubameyang and Zakaria are over the line, it could well trigger other clubs to move for players who may end up falling down the pecking order as a consequence.

For example, striker Armando Broja – who