According to reports in Italy, Manchester City have joined the long list of clubs keen on signing Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder, Denis Zakaria.
Calciomercato make the claim, suggesting that City and manager, Pep Guardiola, are keen on bringing in Zakaria. Interestingly, the Switzerland star is out of contract in the summer of 2022, so could be free to negotiate with new clubs in January.
Zakaria has been on the radar of English clubs for some time now. Indeed, in the summer just gone, both Arsenal, Tottenham, and Everton were all keen on bringing the 24-year-old to England.
Back in the summer, The Sun reported how Zakaria was set to be available for a bargain £17m. But with no new deal signed since, that fee could drop even more in January, or a pre-contract could be agreed.
TBR’s View: Zakaria a long-term Fernandinho replacement?
He’s certainly in the same calibre and style of player. All action, workman-like but with an eye for a pass, Zakaria definitely fits the bill for City.
Replacing Fernandinho is always going to be a tough as for Pep Guardiola, or whoever is in charge at City, for that matter. But in Zakaria, there’s a player there who’s more than ready to step up to the plate.
City already have Rodri. But the Spaniard is more of a ball-playing central midfielder, rather than a destroyer type like Zakaria is. And City, if they are to keep being successful, need different options.
On a free transfer or even at a nominal fee, signing Denis Zakaria makes all kind of sense for Guardiola.