West Ham are willing to spend Declan Rice's money on Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria.

Denis Zakaria was on loan at Chelsea last season. Credit: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill

West Ham United are pushing for a deal for Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Rice's exit over a £105m deal, a record transfer for a British player, has led the Europa Conference League owners to pursue Zakaria, who is available since the end of his loan spell at Chelsea in the past season.

The 26-year-old Swiss international is being considered as a prime candidate for David Moyes' team next season for the No. 6 role. Negotiations should revolve around whether Zakaria can secure an initial loan before the deal becomes permanent a year later .

Zakaria arrived at Chelsea on time last season and made 11 appearances at Stamford Bridge during the season. He has three years left on his contract with Juventus, but there is hope that a deal can be concluded this summer.

Born in a family of immigrants from South Sudan and the Congo in Geneva. for Young Boys and Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he came to the attention of Juventus.

West Ham appointed Tim Steidten as technical director and were poised for a busy summer of transfer activity when the decision was made to leave Rice. club. They looked at defensive midfielders and Zakaria was identified as a player who could fit Moyes' team.

They will have another season in European football after winning the European Conference League as Premier League form is in the past season has suffered and the club is struggling with relegation for part of the campaign.

Angelo Ogbonna has agreed a new one-year contract and will be part of the team next season, but head coach Paul Nevin is set to join Strasbourg in France to join support staff Patrick Vieira after his appointment to the Ligue 1 club.