Liverpool want Denis Zakaria.
Empire of the Kop, who spoke to Bild’s head of sport Christian Falk, reported that the club want to do a Naby Keita copycat deal that’ll see the Swiss international arrive in 2021.
Denis Zakaria is available for £37 million and Borussia Monchengladbach are open to the idea of selling him before he enters the final year of his deal.
"Falk said: “I know that Liverpool have their eyes on Zakaria of Mönchengladbach. This is a very talented player who will hit the market next year. A move to the Premiere League is easy for him to imagine.”"
Liverpool could register their interest now and then seal the transfer before the start of next season. This’ll give Borussia the money they want, while ensuring the player doesn’t walk for nothing.
Jurgen Klopp fancies Zakaria and this would give the club some time to get over the COVID-19 induced financial wobble every side in the league is experiencing. We’re not really seeing big deals, apart from those sanctioned by sugar daddies, while the uncertainty surrounds teams.
The Gladbach midfielder is a real force of nature – we profiled him earlier in the year – and is a complete player. He can pass, he can tackle, he’s an imposing figure and has managed to be compared to Patrick Vieira and Paul Pogba.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is rumoured to be nearing the exit door, and this could make space for a player of Zakaria’s ability.
Liverpool have been criticised for their lack of spending this window. Kostas Tsimikas is the only first team player who’s been signed, and the Greek international will provide excellent back-up to Andy Robertson.
Gini Wijnaldum has been rumoured to be on the way out as Barcelona are sniffing around the Dutchman, but all’s gone quiet on that front and it seems like Wijnaldum is going to stay around the club.
Which means Thiago probably won’t come in from Bayern Munich and things will remain pretty sedate on Merseyside.
With a weeks to go until the end of the transfer window, things could still heat up. But Liverpool are keeping their cards close to the chest, as is highlighted by the Keita copycat move.