PL rivals were keen to secure Chelsea summer signing before Stamford Bridge arrival

Liverpool were interested in Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria

New Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria had also attracted interest from Liverpool during the closing stages of the transfer window, claims a report in the Liverpool Echo.

Zakaria was ‘made aware’ of the interest from the Reds, but the 25-year-old ultimately decided to join the Blues. He was signed on the deadline day on a season-long loan deal from Juventus.

Chelsea and Liverpool were both forced into the market after their key players suffered injury. Both the clubs had interest in Zakaria, but the Blues won that race; while Liverpool signed Arthur Melo on a season-long loan from Juventus.

However, the 25-year-old did not know that he was moving to London until six hours before the transfer window slammed shut. In an interview with Blick (h/t Liverpool Echo), the Swiss midfielder revealed what happened.

“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.”

When asked about the interest from Liverpool, this is what the midfielder had to say. He does not appear to have any regrets on ending up at Stamford Bridge.

“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.”

The midfielder is yet to make his debut for the west London club. He was named on the bench for both the Champions League games this season but did not come on in any of them.

With a new coach at the helm, Zakaria will have to likely harder to impress the new boss. It remains to be seen if the 25-year-old is part of Graham Potter’s tactics for this season.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea star Christian Pulisic reveals how his bad blood with Thomas Tuchel started
• Christoph Freund has released a statement confirming that he is not joining Chelsea
• John Barnes predicts it will be between Chelsea and Arsenal for the fourth spot in the league

Chelsea will not be in action this month. The club will make a short trip to face Crystal Palace on October 1 for a London derby. Zakaria will hope to make his debut for the club and impress.