Premier League

Chelsea ‘to replace’ midfield outcast this summer before ‘crazy’ €50m pursuit of Liverpool target

Chelsea player Zakaria

Chelsea are reportedly planning ‘to replace’ Denis Zakaria this summer as there are ‘not many chances’ of him signing permanently from Juventus.

The centre-midfielder was one of the players who joined the Blues during last year’s summer transfer window.

Despite him playing well for a couple of games, this loan move has not gone to plan as he has only played 10 times for Chelsea this season. Only six of his appearances have come as a starter.

Zakaria was not in the Chelsea squad on Saturday as Graham Potter’s side drew 2-2 against Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Fernandez and Mateo Kovacic appear to be Potter’s preferred options in the middle of the pitch and both players started against Everton.

Fernandez joined Chelsea in January for around £106m from Benfica and Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Chelsea will ‘go for a new midfielder in the summer’.

‘Denis Zakaria is not a regular starter so honestly, I think there were never many chances of him staying on a permanent deal,’ Romano wrote for Caught Offside.

‘For sure Chelsea will go for a new midfielder in the summer; I really appreciate Zakaria, I think he’s underrated but probably Chelsea want something different to play next to Enzo Fernandez.’

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months. He is reportedly one of the players Liverpool are looking at. 

The 21-year-old has emerged as a key player for Gladbach over the past two seasons. He has played over 50 times in the Bundesliga.

He is on Chelsea’s radar, but Christian Falk is reporting that Ligue 1 giants PSG are also “interested” in him.

Falk is reporting that Gladbach will look for €40-50m this summer and they know “they’ll lose him unless something crazy happens”.

The reporter adds that the Frenchman does not favour any club at this stage but he is “focusing on the next step” of his career.

“Manu Koné’s club, Gladbach, know that they will lose him this summer unless something crazy happens,” Falk revealed to Caught Offside.

“There are talks now between the sporting director, Roland Virkus, and Koné’s management, discussing how much would be on the table for selling him (crazy amounts like €40-50m).

“PSG are interested. The player is French. We heard that Chelsea knocked on the door and have an interest in him. I don’t think he’s focused purely on one league, the most important thing for the player is focusing…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…