Everton join Arsenal in race for Vieira 2.0 – report

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Everton have reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Denis Zakaria next year.

This is according to 90Min, who claim the Toffees and the Gunners are eyeing the Switzerland international.

Everton and Arsenal aren’t the only Premier League clubs interested in Zakaria, however.

The outlet claims that, as well as the Toffees and the Gunners, Leicester are also now in the race for the 25-year-old.

Zakaria’s Borussia Monchengladbach contract is up next summer and he’s reportedly looking to move on.

Arsenal have been linked with the Swiss midfielder for over a year now, but other English clubs are taking notice.

Indeed, Everton and Leicester have reportedly lodged their interest in Zakaria with his representatives.

Can Everton beat Arsenal to Vieira 2.0?

Zakaria is a highly-rated player who has already won 40 caps for his nation.

In addition, the 6ft 3in ace has clocked up an impressive 141 competitive appearances for Gladbach.

Zakaria’s style of play has been compared to that of Patrick Vieira, Paul Pogba and Zinedine Zidane.

“I’ve been compared to Vieira and Pogba,” the Bundesliga website quotes Zakaria as saying a few years ago.

“Two more players I really respect and, in a way, see as role models.

“When I watch videos of them I think I’d like to play that way.”

The same article quotes Swiss icon Yann Sommer as saying: “He combines many qualities that were really defined by Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane.”

And Lothar Matthaus added: “I’m glad that Gladbach have found another pearl.

“At his age I was earning my first stripes for Borussia. He reminds me of Toni Kroos at that age.”