Chelsea to sign Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus

Chelsea have reportedly agreed a late deal to sign Juventus defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria on loan.

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According to The Athletic, Zakaria is currently undergoing his medical in Turin having already agreed personal terms, while the Blues will also have the option to sign the Swiss international permanently.

The deal has moved very quickly with Chelsea said to have only opened talks with Juventus on Thursday, having finally given up on their pursuit of PSV star Ibrahim Sangare.

Thomas Tuchel has been desperate to bolster his midfield options after a difficult start to the season, where his side have won just two of their opening five games, suffering embarrassing defeats at Leeds and Southampton in the process.

Central midfield has been a problem area, with N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic suffering with injuries, while Jorginho and Conor Gallagher are struggling with form.

Another option in Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been remodelled into a right-wing-back, while Billy Gilmour looks set to leave Stamford Bridge, with Brighton agreeing to buy the young Scotsman for £9million.

Zakaria made his name at Borussia Monchengladbach and only moved to Juventus back in January, with his contract with the Bundesliga club nearing its end, but his game-time in Italy has been very limited so far.

The 25-year-old is one of many deals Chelsea are aiming to complete before the transfer deadline at 11pm on Thursday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nearing a move from Barcelona, while Edson Alvarez is also wanted but Ajax are unwilling to sell.

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