Liverpool are fond of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, but would not be his transfer preference, according to reports coming from Europe.
Zakaria is a man in demand at present due to his contract expiring at the end of the season. The midfielder seems ready to take on a new challenge. A number of clubs are thus battling for his signature.
The Premier League has appeared to be a potential destination for Zakaria for some time. He has been linked with Arsenal fairly frequently, although there have also been connections with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
There are also other European stages for the Switzerland international to look towards. For example, in Italy, he is wanted by Juventus and Roma.
Covering the chances of him moving to Serie A, Gazzetta Dello Sport have confirmed he is a Juventus target for January. They are aiming to upgrade their midfield and are also keeping tabs on Axel Witsel and Aurelien Tchouameni.
But the write-up from Gazzetta also throws Liverpool back into contention for the 24-year-old.
Liverpool were linked with Zakaria back in February while they were looking to replace Georginio Wijnaldum. Ultimately, nobody arrived to fill the void left by the Dutchman, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free.
Now, the idea of Liverpool taking Zakaria has been revived. He would add a further option to their midfield, which is currently deprived of Harvey Elliott – who looked like the man to take Wijnaldum’s spot in the squad after returning from a loan spell with Blackburn Rovers – due to injury.
However, Liverpool are not Zakaria’s first choice destination. The report adds that he has told those close to him he would prefer to join Barcelona.
Whether Barca can afford to accommodate him onto their wage bill is unclear after their recent financial difficulties. But they are looking at cheap signings and Zakaria’s situation means he could fit in with that policy.
Either way, he has decided to leave Gladbach and will now await offers in the New Year, when he could either leave for cheap in January or sign a pre-contract agreement for a free transfer in the summer.
He would be an interesting option for Liverpool to consider but they won’t have a clear path to his signing.
Liverpool to sacrifice midfielder for signing
The need for Liverpool to sign a new midfielder would only increase if they lost another of their current options.
Reports over the weekend suggested they could part company with one man in the middle of the park to fund another signing elsewhere.
According to the Daily Express, Liverpool would be willing to cash in on Thiago Alcantara if it helps them sign striker target Karim Adeyemi.
Thiago signed for Liverpool from Bayern Munich last summer after a lengthy pursuit. However, he hasn’t always shown his best qualities at Anfield.
There have thus been rumours of him finding a new club. And the Express suggested he could be sold to raise the funds required for Adeyemi.
Adeyemi is currently impressing up front for RB Salzburg. He has also become a full Germany international and has a bright future ahead of him.
Liverpool need to reinforce their attack for the long-term. In fact, it is arguably a greater need than their wish for a new midfielder. Therefore, they are in the running for Adeyemi.
But if they sacrifice Thiago to get him, they may need to stock up on another midfielder too. Perhaps Zakaria could be the man they look towards.
READ MORE: Liverpool doing ‘everything possible’ in mooted Barcelona deal Xavi wants
The post Liverpool revive pursuit of inviting midfielder deal as transfer dream is revealed amid rival rumours appeared first on TEAMtalk.
Samuel Bannister
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