Arsenal handed major boost in Denis Zakaria pursuit

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has admitted that Arsenal-linked midfielder Denis Zakaria is keen to complete a transfer elsewhere this summer.

With Granit Xhaka seemingly set to follow Dani Ceballos and Matteo Guendouzi out of the Emirates exit door this summer, Mikel Arteta is expected to be in the market for a new midfield partner for Thomas Partey.

Albert Sambi Lokonga has completed a move from Anderlecht, but Arteta is also thought to be eyeing a more experienced lynchpin, and Arsenal are one of several sides to have been linked with a swoop for Zakaria.

The 24-year-old is now in the final year of his deal with Monchengladbach, whose sporting director Eberl has conceded that talks over a new deal have failed to bear fruit and a move elsewhere is the most likely outcome.

"With Denis, we have been trying to extend his contract since October. Denis and his management have told us relatively clearly that they favour a transfer this summer if something comes up. Let's wait and see what happens," Eberl said in quotes attributed to Kicker.

Zakaria - who has also been linked with a move to Manchester City - boasts nine goals and seven assists from 128 appearances at Monchengladbach, but he started just 15 Bundesliga games last term.