Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly among the clubs keen on signing Denis Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach this summer.
According to a report by German outlet Tag 24, Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria is the subject of interest from Arsenal and Manchester City over a move in the summer transfer window. Borussia Dortmund could be forced to cash in on the 24-year-old before the window slams shut.
Denis Zakaria joined Borussia Monchengladbach from BSC Young Boys in the summer of 2017 and has been one of the most improved players in Bundesliga over the last four years. A long-term knee injury has not derailed his progress either and the Swiss international has become a key part of the first-team setup at Borussia-Park, amassing 128 appearances for Die Fohlen to date.
The 24-year-old’s development has invariably captured the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund all showing an interest in him last year. Heading into this summer’s transfer window, Manchester City and Arsenal are among the clubs vying for his signature.
Manchester City might have tied Fernandinho down to yet another short-term contract, but there is no denying the fact that the veteran Brazilian midfielder is in the twilight of his storied career. In addition, with Aymeric Laporte facing an uncertain future at the Etihad, someone like Zakaria could be targeted as a two-in-one solution, seeing as he is adept at playing as a centre-back as well.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are set to make sweeping changes to their midfield unit, seeing as Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard have departed the Emirates for good while Granit Xhaka is expected to leave the Gunners this summer. Thus, Arsenal need to sign multiple midfielders this summer, which is why they are linked with options other than Albert Sambi Lokonga, who is set to join them soon.
As a result, the north Londoners have been linked with the likes of Ruben Neves, Manuel Locatelli and Renato Sanches among others, with a bid for Houssem Aouar already being submitted. And now, Zakaria has emerged as a viable target as well. Apart from Arsenal and Manchester City, Napoli are also keen on signing the 24-year-old, having already made an enquiry for him.
What now remains to be seen is if Arsenal or Manchester City make their moves for the Swiss midfielder as well, with Borussia Monchengladbach likely to be forced to sell him, considering he is in the final year of his contract with Die Fohlen. For now, Zakaria has once again been linked with a host of top clubs across Europe.
