Report: Manchester City monitoring Champions League midfielder

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Sky Sports have claimed that Manchester City are still monitoring Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria ahead of the summer transfer window – having played against the Swiss star in the Champions League earlier this year.

Zakaria, 24, is approaching 200 club appearances at professional level – with 120 of those at Gladbach, while also clocking up 28 appearances for Switzerland. He is operating in both defensive midfield and at centre-back, and showing huge quality.

Athleticism, strength and aerial ability combined with an excellent array of passing and a great footballing mind, Zakaria is quickly earning the reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s best defensive midfielders. No surprise, then, that City are interested.

He even chips in with the odd goal or assist – having a hand in 15 goals during his 120 Gladbach outings. He has scored nine and created six and having faced City in the Champions League this season – City are now tracking the midfielder.

TransferMarkt claim Zakaria has the same agent as Leroy Sane, who recently left Manchester City for Bayern Munich.

TBR’s view – Zakaria could be Fernandinho’s long-term replacement

But is he as good? He might lack the leadership that Fernandinho boasts, but that might be down to age. Zakaria has many of the traits that has made Fernandinho a Manchester City icon – but he does need replacing, with the latter’s contract expiring.

Thare are few midfielders that have the potential to do the job that Fernandinho does – in defence or in midfield – while still only being 24 years of age. If City can get a deal done for Zakaria, then it makes absolute sense.