Reported Arsenal and Liverpool target Denis Zakaria is an “incredible box-to-box midfielder” perfectly suited to the Premier League, his former BSC Young Boys coach has told Radio Kiss Kiss, via Mondo Napoli.
Two years ago, when Zakaria was one of the Bundesliga’s rising stars and a fixture at the heart of Switzerland’s midfield, few would have guessed the Borussia Monchengladbach dynamo would end up watching Euro 2020 unfold from the sidelines.
A combination of niggling injuries, loss of form and the emergence of Remo Freuler meant Zakaria featured just once in the tournament – and that was only because Granit Xhaka was suspended for the quarter-final clash with Spain.
With that in mind, a big-money move to the Premier League could come at the right time for a man whose reputation has taken a hit of late.
There’s still plenty of interest too, despite Zakaria’s underwhelming 2020/21 campaign, with an old-school, all-action enforcer available for a knock-down fee with his contract expiring next year.
This week, Tag24 reported Arsenal and Manchester City are both interested, with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool also eyeing a player understood to be valued at £18 million.
Could Denis Zakaria be a good fit at Liverpool or Arsenal?
“I gave Zakaria his debut (at Young Boys). He is an incredible box-to-box midfielder,” says Forte. “He has exceptional technique and grinds through the kilometres.
“All his characteristics were appreciated from a very young age and they earned him his debut at the age of 18.
“He has offers from England, he has the right characteristics for the Premier League.
“At the European Championships, he came from a bad injury and for this reason he did not play. He will become a devastating player. Zakaria is a champion.”
Monchengladbach director of sport Max Eberl has already suggested Zakaria will be sold as the Bundesliga outfit looks to avoid losing a prized asset for nothing.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
