West Ham are under threat in their pursuit of Denis Zakaria from Juventus after Fabrizio Romano reported a new bid going in from Monaco.

The Swiss, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea, is one of numerous midfield targets for the Hammers this summer, but had looked to be one of the closest to completion.

It now appears to be a head-to-head choice for the 26-year-old after the Ligue 1 side, managed by his former Borussia Monchengladbach boss Adi Hutter, entered the race with a concrete bid.

Reporting via Twitter on Tuesday evening (25 July) Romano wrote: “EXCL: AS Monaco have submitted first bid to sign Denis Zakaria from Juventus. He’s among priority targets for the club as Adi Hütter knows him well.

“Zakaria will now assess options. Many clubs want him — West Ham also negotiated with Juventus to sign him. Up to the player.”

Competition

This is exactly the risk with playing the transfer market as the Hammers are currently doing, as being moderately advanced on moves with multiple target at once leaves the club open to hijacks.

If Monaco are seen to be acting decisively in the pursuit of Zakaria, likely to replace another player linked with a Hammers move in Youssouf Fofana [L’Equipe, 27 June], then they may look the more attractive option.

And the fact that Hutter has managed the exit-bound Juventus man before in the Bundesliga is another link that might hand Monaco that advantage.

It appears that West Ham are far enough down the line for them to still be a viable option should the Swiss international decide he wants a return to the Premier League.

But, while there is of course potential competition for all targets the longer the door is left open, it looks it has now got very real in the Zakaria race.

The latest development likely leaves West Ham with a choice between making a concerted final effort to convince both player and club that the London Stadium is right for his next move, or to quickly turn their attentions elsewhere.

[westhamzone]