Liverpool reignite interest in £37m powerhouse as Thiago deal stalls

Ramy Bensebaini, Denis Zakaria

Liverpool have reportedly reignited their interest in signing Borussia Monchengladbach’s defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria.

The Reds have been quiet in the transfer market so far, with just left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas their only senior signing.

Although Jurgen Klopp is clearly happy with a squad that won the title by 18 points last season, the Reds have been warned that they still need to strengthen or risk becoming complacent.

Liverpool were exposed defensively by Leeds in a thrilling season opener on Saturday. But it is a new shield in front of that back four that is now being mooted.

A move for Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara has been on the cards for some weeks, but there is still no breakthrough over a deal.

And that has now led to rumours that Klopp has turned his attention to Monchengladbach powerhouse Zakaria instead.

While Thiago is a more creative midfielder, Zakaria would shore up Liverpool’s engine room in a completely different way.

The 6ft 2in defensive midfielder has impressed in Germany since joining Monchengladbach from Young Boys in 2017. He has racked up almost 100 appearances for the club over the past three years.

 

The report on Football Talk claims that Zakaria has caught the attention of Klopp’s scouts. It adds that Monchengladbach are also prepared to do business for £37m for a player who will be out of contract in 2022.

The Swiss international would provide strong competition for Fabinho if he was to move to Merseyside.

 

PUNDIT POINTS TO PERFECT LIVERPOOL SCENARIO

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says Liverpool can fund a move for Thiago Alcantara by offloading three fringe players by next month.

Thiago had been heavily linked with the Reds all summer, with the club distancing themselves from the speculation.

Thiago-Alcantara-Spain-TEAMtalk-1

Jurgen Klopp was again asked about the Spain international on Friday, but he was giving nothing away.

However. Warnock still believes Klopp should press ahead with a move for Thiago by giving the green light for deals for Harry Wilson, Rhian Brewster and Marko Grujic.

That would be more than enough to finance a move for the Bayern Munich schemer. Read more…