Juventus ‘want Mateo Kovacic as part of Denis Zakaria deal with Chelsea’ as Italian side eye shock swap transfer
ITALIAN giants Juventus want Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic as part of a swap deal for Denis Zakaria this summer, according to reports.
Zakaria, 26, is currently on a season loan at Chelsea having arrived on deadline day in the summer with an option to buy included in the deal.
GettyMateo Kovacic celebrates a goal against RB Salzburg in the Champions League.[/caption]
GettyDenis Zakaria in action for Chelsea against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.[/caption]
Following a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge the Swiss international began to impress with some solid performances.
He’s been sidelined for the past few weeks having picked up a quad injury in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage in January.
Italian outlet Calcio Mercato Web claim that Juventus would like Croatian midfielder Kovacic as part of the deal despite Chelsea having an option to buy on Zakaria.
A swap deal seems unlikely as the Croatian maestro is one of the first names on Graham Potter’s team sheet when fit thanks to his range of passing and dribbling skills.
Kovacic has struggled with fitness issues during his time with the West London outfit and has missed the last three games with a calf strain and had his minutes managed before the World Cup as he nursed a knee injury.
The Croatian international is approaching a crossroads in his Chelsea career and is out of contract at the end of next season.
Following the British record signing of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica and the arrival of promising Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Vasco de Gama The Blues are revamping their midfield.
Jorginho has departed to Arsenal and N’Golo Kante is out of contract at the end of this season with a new deal yet to be agreed.
Chelsea saw a £55million bid rejected for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo in January and may go back again in the summer.
The West Londoners are known admirers of Declan Rice and could look to test West Ham’s resolve with a bid for their captain this summer.
It’s clear that Kovacic may not be the automatic choice he once was in Chelsea’s midfield and with new names coming through the door the Croatian could be temped by a new challenge.
The Blues could also be open to a swap deal in a bid to save splashing out again.
