Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria hopes to land a notable pay rise if he leaves the Bundesliga side on a free transfer amid interest from Arsenal, The Sun report.
The Gunners are on red alert to the Swiss international’s situation at Borussia-Park with his contract expiring next June. He is ready to listen to offers from Premier League clubs over a switch to England, after four-years in Germany.
Arsenal are considering approaching Zakaria on a transfer to the Emirates Stadium as they seek to reinforce their engine room. Doubts remain over the long-term futures of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny, with the latter also a free-agent next summer.
Maitland-Niles questions what role is on offer in north London after a bit-part role in Mikel Arteta’s plans so far. While Elneny is almost certain to leave the Gunners when his £52k-a-week terms expire, five-years on from completing a £7.5m move to England from Basel.
Zakaria hopes to secure a contract worth around £80k-a-week if the Arsenal target leaves Borussia Monchengladbach on a free transfer. He presently earns £55k-a-week at Borussia-Park, and is stalling over signing a new deal with Die Fohlen.
Should Arsenal sign Zakaria on a free transfer?
Arsenal can strengthen their midfield with a move to sign Borussia Monchengladbach star Zakaria on a free transfer next year. But Arteta could face strong competition for the 24-year-old, he considered to be Granit Xhaka’s ideal replacement in the last summer window.
Reports by Sport claim Zakaria is now holding out to secure a move to Barcelona when his Gladbach deal expires. Calciomercato also report Manchester City are ready to rival Roma for the engine room anchor, who has offered Adi Hutter a box-to-box presence this term.
Zakaria has scored two goals and provided an assist over seven Bundesliga appearances so far. But he has also received four yellow cards over his eight outings in all competitions.
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