Liverpool linked Denis Zakaria will stay at Borussia Monchengladbach this summer ahead of their return to the Champions League, sporting director Max Eberl has told Radio 90.1, as translated by Kicker.
Blessed with the engine of a Jordan Henderson, the defensive diligence of Fabinho and the ferocious pressing of Naby Keita, an all-action Bundesliga midfielder looks tailor-made for Jurgen Klopp’s ‘heavy metal football’.
And, as you might expect, Liverpool have been heavily linked with Zakaria ever since the former Borussia Dortmund boss took over at Anfield five years ago.
While big-money signings are not expected on Merseyside this summer, that has not stopped the rumours from returning.
SportBILD claimed earlier this month that Liverpool are very much interested in the slaloming Swiss international.
Gladbach have been hit hard by football’s ongoing financial crisis, reliant as they and most German clubs are on gate receipts.
But Eberl has now moved to put an end to the speculation, with Zakaria set to remain for another year regardless of how much money his suitors are willing to offer.
“Denis will play with us in the new season and drive his development forward,” he says. “The Champions League level will also be a challenge for him.”
BILD adds that Gladbach, who pipped Bayer Leverkusen to secure a seat at Europe’s top table next season, will demand more than the £40 million Arsenal paid for Granit Xhaka whenever the time comes for Zakaria to follow in his compatriot’s footsteps.
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