Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria in the summer next year when he will be a free agent.
According to a report from Spanish publication Defensa Central, Real Madrid are considering making a beeline for Borussia Monchengladbach and Switzerland midfielder Denis Zakaria in the summer transfer window of 2022 when his contract will expire.
Zakaria has been with Gladbach since 2017, having arrived from BSC Young Boys and has grown into a key operator in the middle of the park for the Foals, racking up close to 130 appearances so far, in the process scoring nine goals and setting up seven more.
A midfield powerhouse, Zakaria has had to endure some injury issues of late but has recovered well and played a handful of games last term while also being a part of Switzerland’s UEFA Euro 2020 squad. However, his future at Borussia Park has become a subject of discussion with the 24-year-old entering the final year of his contract.
Indeed, a host of Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton have been linked with a move for Zakaria this summer. Now, it seems like Real Madrid, too, have entered the fray for his signing, albeit the plan from the Spanish capital outfit is to wait for another year before snaring him away on a free transfer.
It is no secret that Real Madrid are going through a bit of a financial lurch because of the pandemic as well as their stadium renovation costs. As a result, new boss Carlo Ancelotti has had to hold back on spending this summer, despite the squad being in need of some refreshing across multiple positions.
Midfield is an area that is in need of immediate strengthening. Even though Luka Modric looked in fine fettle in the opening game against Alaves on Saturday night, it must not be lost that the Croatian is almost 36-years-old. Toni Kroos is also in his thirties, and Casemiro, too, is closing in on the thirty mark and does not have a reliable backup in the holding midfield position.
So, bringing in someone like Zakaria, who can operate as a No. 6 or even do the job as a box-to-box operator, could prove to be a smart addition for Real Madrid. However, as per the report, the Merengues are not planning to move for him in the ongoing transfer window. Instead, they will hope to push for the Switzerland international’s signing next year, when he becomes a free agent.
Apart from Zakaria, Eduardo Camavinga of Rennes is another player that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on, along with AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, both of whom will also be free agents come next year. However, for the Spanish giants to sign any of them, they will need a lot of things to in their way, starting from the players not renewing their contracts to any other clubs not picking them up this summer itself.
