The Mirror are reporting that Denis Zakaria is a prime candidate to replace midfielder Granit Xhaka at Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
What’s the story?
It is being reported by The Mirror that Arsenal are interested in signing Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old is one of the many midfielders Arsenal manager Arteta is looking at.
Xhaka is set to join AS Roma for £20 million, and defensive midfielder Zakaria is ‘a prime candidate’ to replace the Switzerland international.
Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has been quoted as saying by The Mirror that the midfielder wants to leave the German club this summer.
What type of a player is Denis Zakaria?
Zakaria is a defensive midfielder, but the Switzerland international can also play in a box-to-box role.
The former Young Boys star can score goals and create chances as well.
The 24-year-old made 15 starts and 10 substitute appearances in the Bundesliga last season.
Zakaria scored one goal and gave one assist in those games.
The 24-year-old’s former Young Boys coach, Uli Forte, outlined earlier this month exactly what Zakaria is capable of.
Mondo Napoli quoted Forte as saying, as translated here on HITC Sport at the time: “I gave Zakaria his debut (at Young Boys). He is an incredible box-to-box midfielder. 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.”
Arsenal could get an upgrade on Xhaka if they are able to bring in Zakaria this summer.
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