Arsenal target Denis Zakaria’s bargain transfer fee revealed

Arsenal have been hard at work this January to try and bolster their midfield ranks, having allowed Ainsley Maitland-Niles to leave on loan while Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are away at AFCON.

That has seen them push through on a deal to sign Arthur Melo on loan, with negotiations at an advanced stage and the move said to be solely dependent on Juventus securing a replacement this month.

Should they do so, which isn’t believed to be an issue, then the Brazilian will go some way to aiding their current plight. He isn’t the only one they’re tracking, though, and Denis Zakaria has long been considered as a potential addition to the squad.

Borussia Mönchengladbach have openly admitted that the Swiss international will depart when his contract expires, and the prospect of a free agent signing has alerted clubs across Europe. Arsenal links have been long-standing, with Manchester United also in the mix.

Arsenal target Denis Zakaria’s transfer fee revealed as Manchester United and Liverpool provide competition for Swiss midfielder

Sport 1’s Patrick Berger and Bild’s Christian Falk have both reported on the Red Devils’ interest, with Ralf Rangnick speaking to the player’s agent with an offer said to have been made to bring him to Old Trafford in the summer. Able to speak to foreign clubs this month with his contract entering its final six months, they aren’t alone.

As per Fussball Transfers, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal have been holding discussions, and while the majority of negotiations have centred around a free transfer at the end of the season, Mönchengladbach would prefer to sell this winter for a fee said to be around €6m-7m.

It’s an inviting fee.

A No. 8/No. 6 hybrid, Zakaria is known for his energy and ball retention, with powerful carrying ability and impressive dribbling qualities. Injuries have severely hampered large spells of his time in Germany, but, for now, those issues appear to have dissipated. Indeed, he’s started 14 consecutive Bundesliga matches this season, completing the full 90 minutes in all of them.

If Arsenal are to sign Arthur this window then it does lessen the need for Zakaria. Entirely different profiles, there is still only one competition – and a maximum of three Carabao Cup matches – left to play in.

With both Egypt and Ghana losing their opening group matches of AFCON, Elneny and Partey may even be back sooner than anticipated, which would be another boost to the squad. Elneny does have interest this month from Turkey, and if Arsenal were to bring in two midfielders it certainly opens the door for him to leave six months before his deal expires.