Newcastle United are leading the English race for Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, but face increasing competition from Roma.
That’s what Siamo La Roma report today, stating that Newcastle have already made a ‘survey’ about the midfielder’s availability.
Zakaria is quickly turning into one of the most sought after players in Europe, with a series of impressive performances for the Bundesliga side alerting clubs to him and the fact he is available on a free next summer.
That means he is free to talk to clubs about a move come January, and sign a pre-contract agreement should he wish.
Roma are one of the clubs who have been heavily linked with him, with Jose Mourinho determined to add a defensive midfielder to his squad after missing out on Granit Xhaka in the summer.
They also looked at Zakaria at that point, and the interest has not gone away, with Tiago Pinto in contact with the midfielder’s new agent, Ali Dursun.
Roma would like to close a deal in January, but there is competition from Inter Milan and Juventus in Italy.
There are also suitors elsewhere in Europe, particularly in the Premier League, where ‘Newcastle above all’ are pushing for his signature and have ‘made a survey’ in recent weeks.
They, of course, can offer the kind of money that other clubs cannot after their takeover by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, and that is a worry for the likes of Roma, who have to be careful with their finances.
Roma, and the likes of Inter, want Zakaria for as cheaply as possible, and Inter have already made ‘embryonic’ advances in that regard.
There is a ‘mutual liking’ between the two parties, but Siamo La Roma state that it is all ‘Premier League permitting’, hinting that if Newcastle get serious, the chances of the midfielder ending up in Italy could diminish quickly.
