Agbonlahor issues verdict on West Ham move for Denis Zakaria – ‘the club is a mess’
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed a cut-price move for Denis Zakaria could allow West Ham to bring in “four or five players” with the fee received for Declan Rice.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 26-year-old cannot be judged on his unsuccessful Chelsea spell as the Stamford Bridge club are a “mess”.
Football Insider revealed last week (30 June) that West Ham are considering a move for Juventus midfielder Zakaria this summer.
The Irons are drawing up transfer plans as they prepare for the exit of captain Declan Rice – who is expected to join Arsenal in a reported £105million deal.
Zakaria spent last season on loan at Chelsea but made just seven starts in 11 total appearances for the Blues, scoring once.
Nevertheless, the Switzerland international has played at three major tournaments for his country and has racked up 198 total club appearances – including experience in the Champions League.
West Ham are expected to move for two midfielders as they attempt to replace Rice’s impact this summer.
When asked if a deal for Zakaria would be underwhelming after his time at Chelsea, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It depends.
“You can’t really judge him on his time at Chelsea. The whole club is a mess at the moment.
“I’m sure they’d get a decent deal to get him in, and Chelsea must have seen something in him and his time in Europe to bring him in to begin with.
“West Ham might get this Declan Rice money in and want to go out and get four or five signings.
“Ward-Prowse won’t be cheap, Harvey Barnes won’t be cheap either – so they could strike a really good deal for Zakaria.”
In other news, West Ham plot move for Everton star.