West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has a longstanding interest in Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The journalist says Steidten was a fan of the Swiss international when he was still at Borussia Monchengladbach so it is “no surprise” that he wants to bring him to the London Stadium:

“We’re told that West Ham are in talks with Juventus over the signing of the midfielder Denis Zakaria. The move is understood to be driven by West Ham’s new technical director Tim Steidten. Now he tried to sign him when he was the sporting director at Bayer Leverkusen when Zakaria was at Borussia Monchengladbach…”

“It is thought Juventus would want a permanent deal or at least a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of it… But no surprise that West Ham are in for Zakaria and talks are ongoing.”

His spell at Chelsea does leave question marks

Zakaria joined the Blues on loan at the start of last season, and the London club had an option to buy the midfielder for €30m. However, he only played 11 games during his time at Stamford Bridge, with neither Graham Potter nor Frank Lampard seemingly convinced by his abilities.

A hamstring injury did keep the 26-year-old sidelined for a month, but he was available for most of the campaign, so there are questions about his quality, considering he couldn’t even get game time for a struggling team.

Does Moyes want Zakaria at West Ham?

If Sheth is correct that this would be a Steidten signing, you have to ask whether David Moyes has approved the move. From the outside looking in, there does appear to be a power struggle brewing, with David Sullivan hiring Steidten.

Head of Recruitment, Rob Newman, was ostensibly an appointment recommended by Moyes, and if he has been sidelined, you do wonder who has the final say on transfer dealings.