Varun Pai
Transfer News: Journalist claims Manchester United are amongst clubs to enquire about signing Borussia Monchengladbach ace Denis Zakaria
According to transfer news from journalist Jonathan Shrager (h/t Liverpool Echo), Manchester United are amongst four clubs to have enquired about the possibility of signing Denis Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach.
The 25-year-old impressed at Swiss club Servette before joining BSC Young Boys in 2015. A couple of eye-catching seasons at the Wankdorf Stadium were enough to convince Gladbach to sign the midfielder. He impressed in the 2019/20 season, helping the German club to a Top 4 finish.
Zakaria also formed part of the Swiss national side that reached the quarter-finals of the European Championship in 2021. However, the former Servette ace is out of contract in the summer, according to Bild (h/t Daily Mail).
It has now been suggested that several clubs have enquired about the possibility of signing him. Man United are in the mix as they look to add reinforcements in the centre of the pitch. Paul Pogba could leave as a free agent in the summer while Nemanja Matic has only 18 months on his current deal at Old Trafford. Thus, our interest in the Gladbach ace makes sense.
A good buy?
The Swiss international has often had his fair share of issues with injuries but that provides a distorted picture of his fitness levels since he has played 144 games in the last four and a half seasons. Thus, he is averaging well over 30 appearances every season.
I am told that Manchester United, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have all recently enquired about the possibility of signing Denis Zakaria in January
— Jonathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) January 2, 2022
Moreover, Man United need to sign a player of his ilk, especially if Pogba and Matic leave in the next year and a half. Scott McTominay and Fred can only do so much, and the pair is not necessarily the best in Europe right now. Both of them leave much to be desired at times with their performances. Even if they were world-beaters, they could use some quality competition for starts.
Zakaria has often played as a No 6 at the Bundesliga club and could do the same for us too. The Red Devils might also admire the fact that the Swiss ace can also deputize as a centre-back at times, something pretty common these days. Pep Guardiola, Brendan Rodgers, and Jurgen Klopp have used their defensive midfielders in the backline at various points over the last couple of years.
However, the Manchester-based club would be wary that Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in signing the player. We can offer similar prospects as compared to these clubs but one essential aspect would be to secure Champions League football. Apart from that, one would not be wrong to think we have just as good a shot as anybody else to land the midfielder in the coming months.
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With Rangnick at the helm and players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and David de Gea donning our colours, we are a top destination for any footballer to come in and make a name for himself.
Zakaria, who could be a free agent come the summer transfer window, makes sense as a signing considering he would then cost us nothing in transfer fee and at 25, will be able to offer several years of service during his time at Old Trafford.
