Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria has confirmed that Liverpool were interested in signing him before he joined Chelsea on a season-long loan.
The Switzerland international was on the verge of running down his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach earlier this year before joining Juve in January for a cut-price fee.
Zakaria's first half-season in Turin saw him register one goal and one assist from 13 appearances in all competitions, although he only made six starts in Serie A.
Injuries did not help the 25-year-old, whose opportunities for starts would seemingly slim further after the arrivals of Leandro Paredes and Paul Pogba.
As a result, Zakaria made a deadline-day switch to Chelsea on a season-long loan, and the Blues also have the option to make the deal permanent for £30m.
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Prior to his move to Stamford Bridge, Zakaria was thought to have been the subject of interest from Liverpool, and the midfielder has confirmed to Blick that the rumours were true.
"I heard that from my agent, but in the end it was Chelsea. And I think I'll be happier in England than in Turin," Zakaria told the publication after arriving for international duty with Switzerland.
"It all happened very quickly. I didn't know a move to Chelsea was possible until six hours before the end of the transfer window. I packed my things and waited for the contracts to be signed. Then I did the medical check in Turin and it was through, it was very close."
Despite missing out on Zakaria, Liverpool conducted their own raid of Juventus' ranks to strike a deadline-day deal for Arthur, who is still waiting for his first start for the Reds.
Meanwhile, former Servette and BSC Young Boys starlet Zakaria is yet to make his debut for the Blues and has been an unused substitute in their Champions League clashes with Dinamo Zagreb and Red Bull Salzburg so far.
Since Zakaria's arrival, Chelsea have parted ways with Thomas Tuchel and hired Graham Potter, and Zakaria has admitted that he was disappointed not to spend more time under the German's wing.
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"Thomas Tuchel was one of the reasons I went to Chelsea, he's a great coach. But now we haven't had much time with him, but that's football," the Juventus loanee added.
"Everything goes fast. I might have a new chance with the new coach, about whom I've heard a lot of good things. I will work a lot to get my place."
When asked to pinpoint the reason behind his struggles at Juventus, Zakaria speculated that the style of play in Serie A did not suit him, but he believes that he will enjoy more freedom in the Premier League.
"Maybe the style of football wasn't mine. The team was a lot behind, didn't have that much space. I'm a player who needs a lot of space for my runs. It might suit me better in England. I want to show the best face I have," Zakaria responded.
Following Switzerland's Nations League fixtures with Spain and the Czech Republic, Zakaria will hope to make his debut for Chelsea when they return to action against Crystal Palace on October 1 in the Premier League.
Ben Knapton
