Arsenal and Aston Villa are reportedly involved in the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, who is also a target for Liverpool.
A recent report from the Daily Mail has offered a comprehensive update on the January targets for all Premier League clubs. Liverpool are keen on signing an attacker and a midfielder, with Denis Zakaria emerging as one of the potential options for Jurgen Klopp.
However, the Swiss international is also targeted by two other Premier League rivals in the form of Aston Villa and Arsenal. With Everton reportedly in the mix as well, there could be up to four of five potential English suitors for the 25-year-old midfielder, who is prepared to leave the Bundesliga club at the end of the season.
Zakaria has recently confirmed that he will not extend his contract with the Foals. His current deal at the Bundesliga club expires at the end of the season, essentially making him a free agent.
However, it appears clubs like Arsenal and Aston Villa might want to look into the possibility of signing the 25-year-old in the ongoing January transfer window, with the Gunners in particular keen on midfield reinforcements this month.
Arsenal have recently lost Thomas Partey due to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, whereas Ainsley Maitland-Niles is on the verge of joining AS Roma. It leaves Mikel Arteta with very few options at this disposal, forcing him to look into the market for potential reinforcements.
Aston Villa, too, are scouring the market for new midfielders amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of Douglas Luiz. On an interesting note, the Brazilian has been linked with a move to Arsenal, while AS Roma are involved in the equation as well. That is where someone like Denis Zakaria could be useful as Steven Gerrard looks to beef up his options in midfield.
But it appears the Aston Villa boss is set to face stiff competition from his former club Liverpool in the pursuit of Zakaria. The Reds have been tracking the progress of the Swiss international for quite some time, and given their strong position in the Premier League, they might be able to afford the midfielder an ideal platform to further improve himself.
However, an extended stay in the Bundesliga cannot be ruled out either, with Borussia Dortmund prepared to offer Zakaria the opportunity to reunite with his favourite coach Marco Rose.
