Before acquiring Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus on transfer deadline day, Chelsea showed interest in Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, according to The Star....CONTINUE READING
On the last day of the summer transfer window, Chelsea added two key players to their lineup. They added Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona to their offense, and they also brought in Zakaria.
Before the transfer deadline, it was clear that the Blues’ priority was to acquire a defensive midfielder. In the latter days of the window, they even made a £43 million offer for Edson Alvarez of Ajax.
The Eredivisie winners wouldn’t let go of the 24-year-old, so the London giants were forced to search elsewhere. Zakaria was eventually brought in from Juventus on an initial loan agreement.
But Zakaria wasn’t the only player that Chelsea looked at as a replacement for Alvarez. The aforementioned source claims that they asked about Berge’s availability on the day of the transfer deadline.
According to the rumor, Thomas Tuchel’s team indicated an interest in signing the 24-year-old temporarily, but after speaking with Sheffield United, they made the decision not to submit a formal bid.
Numerous Premier League teams are rumored to have expressed interest in Berge. Although Liverpool was one of the teams mentioned in connection with a move for him, it is unknown if they approached the Blades for negotiations.
In the final days of the transfer window, Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge reportedly made two offers to sign the midfielder.
They lacked the financial clout to exercise the £35 million release clause in his contract, though.
Berge has therefore been forced to remain at Bramall Lane despite garnering attention from other clubs.
However, Sheffield United will be happy to have kept his services as they attempt to get promoted to the Premier League.
Zakaria might become a long-term Chelsea player.
Zakaria has been loaned out by Juventus to the Blues for the remainder of the campaign. They also have the choice, though, to pay almost £30 million to make the Switzerland international’s transfer permanent.
The fact that Zakaria only joined Juventus in January of this year should be noted. He was acquired by the Serie A powerhouses from Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach for about £7.5 million. However, the 25-year-old discovered that his playing time was constrained in Turin.
For the Bianconeri past season, he played for just 823 minutes in all competitions.
At Stamford Bridge, Zakaria will now be optimistic about restoring his form and momentum.
