Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich are reportedly the front-runners to sign 25-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.
According to reputed Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Barcelona will have to fend off stiff competition from Juventus and Bayern Munich to land Denis Zakaria. The Catalan giants prefer signing the Borussia Monchengladbach midfield powerhouse on a Bosman move in the summer transfer window.
Denis Zakaria has become one of the most highly sought-after players in the transfer market after announcing that he will be leaving Borussia Monchengladbach as a free agent in the summer transfer window. The Swiss international is in his fifth season with the Bundesliga club and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the German top-flight.
The 25-year-old has made 145 appearances to date for Gladbach, with 17 outings in the ongoing campaign. Zakaria’s impending status as a free agent has captured the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, with Barcelona, Juventus and Bayern Munich keen on signing him.
Barcelona and Zakaria have already initiated discussions over a possible Bosman move in the summer. The Gladbach midfielder could be a long-term successor for Sergio Busquets, who has entered the twilight of his storied career. And with Frenkie de Jong facing an uncertain future at Camp Nou, the urgency to bolster the midfield department has increased.
Juventus’s need to sign a new midfielder is even more urgent than Barcelona’s, as Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and Arthur could all depart the Allianz Stadium this year. With Rodrigo Bentancur blowing hot and cold, the Bianconeri must sign a new midfield partner for Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli, with Zakaria an option on their radar.
As for Bayern Munich, Zakaria could be a long-term replacement for Corentin Tolisso. The French international is likely to leave the Bundesliga champions as a free agent, with Barcelona among his prospective suitors. Adding Zakaria will elevate Bayern’s midfield unit, which already boasts top-class midfielders like Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Marcel Sabitzer.
According to Gianluigi Longari, Barcelona would prefer signing Zakaria on a Bosman move in the summer amid their financial woes. But if Juventus and Bayern Munich decide to pursue a January transfer, Barcelona could be left by the wayside, thereby creating an intriguing saga surrounding the Gladbach midfield powerhouse.
