Bundesliga legend Stefan Effenberg believes Denis Zakaria and Matthias Ginter will join Borussia Dortmund despite interest from Premier League giants Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to T-Online.
Not so long ago, Monchengladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl admitted that Die Fohlen were hoping to agree new, long-term contracts with Zakaria and Ginter.
Gladbach, then, really could have done without a horror run of results that would have made even Daniel Farke wince.
A 4-1 hammering at the hands of derby rivals Cologne was bad enough. But, just one week later, Freiburg stormed into a 6-0 lead on Gladbach’s own Borussia Park turf, netting their sixth of a remarkable win with just 37 minutes on the clock.
Two more defeats, plus Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim, means one of the biggest clubs in the Bundesliga – Champions League regulars in recent seasons – will be spending Christmas just two points above the relegation play-off spot.
Who could blame Ginter and Zakaria, then, for leaping into the lifeboats as the Gladbach ship sinks?
Are Ginter and Zakaria joining Borussia Dortmund?
“The big problem; The future of several important players has not been clarified. Matthias Ginter and Dennis Zakaria’s contracts expire in the summer,” says former Germany international Effenberg.
Long-term admirers Arsenal are watching Zakatria’s situation closely, according to Fussball Transfers, with Everton and West Ham also keen on the Switzerland international (CM).
Liverpool are leading the race, however, due to Zakaria’s admiration for Jurgen Klopp (Gazzetta dello Sport).
Though Effenberg believes that the box-to-box midfielder – along with Tottenham target Ginter – will be Dortmund players come 2022/23.
“I think that ultimately both will move to Dortmund,” said Effenberg.
This would be Ginter’s second spell at the Signal Iduna Park. The World Cup winner was sold to Gladbach in 2017, however, and will return with a major point to prove.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
