Jose Mourinho has rejected the chance to sign Lucas Torreira and could now deny Arsenal a deal with Borussia Monchengladbach as Roma target Denis Zakaria, per Calciomercato.
Mourinho is adamant that Roma will make at least one central midfield signing before the market closes on August 31. Giallorossi owner and President Dan Friedkin is also ready to satisfy the Portuguese’s appetite with advancements being made toward signing Zakaria.
Roma have focused on Zakaria after rejecting offers to sign Arsenal outcast Torreira and Miralem Pjanic from Barcelona this summer. Mourinho had no interest in either occupying the Stadio Olimpico engine room for his first season at the helm.
Instead, Mourinho wanted Granit Xhaka, but Arsenal refused to accept Roma’s bid and will now target Borussia Monchengladbach’s Zakaria. The Italian outfit view the 25-year-old as an excellent investment, and believe he will increase the physicality of their midfield.
Roma also want Zakaria as he can dictate games and is in the final year of his contract. As such, Monchengladbach are open to his exit for €20m (£17m). But the Giallorossi are pushing for a deal at €15m (£13m) before any additional add-ons.
Roma CEO Tiago Pinto is also working on selling Amadou Diawara and Gonzalo Villar, but hopes to agree terms with Borussia Monchengladbach for Zakaria this week – denying Arsenal a player they want, after the Gunners refused to play ball over the exit of Xhaka.
Recent reports by Bild claimed Arsenal, along with Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, want to sign Zakaria this summer. Gazzetta dello Sport also claimed Napoli were keen earlier this month, following the Mirror citing Zakaria as Xhaka’s intended replacement.
Mourinho to frustrate Arsenal with Roma targeting Zakaria
Xhaka staying at Arsenal may have impacted Mikel Arteta’s interest in signing Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach, and aided Roma’s position. The Swiss now moving to Rome will likely frustrate the Gunners, though, with Mourinho ruling out a transfer for Torreira.
Arteta does not intend to utilise Torreira after the Uruguayan’s return from a loan spell with Atletico Madrid last season. Eintracht Frankfurt have made a concrete offer for him, per Gianluca Di Marzio, but he prefers a return to Italy.
Arsenal, then, may be left with a player in Torreira that Arteta does not want while Roma sign one he does if they now agree on terms with Borussia Monchengladbach for Zakaria.
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