Manchester City ready to battle AS Roma for Bundesliga star

Manchester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez (C) celebrates scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on October 23, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Fernandinho has been one of the most important members of Manchester City ever since Pep Guardiola too in charge of the club. A top professional and a leader both on and off the pitch, the defensive midfielder continues to have a big say at the club even though his game time in the Premier League has reduced considerably over the last couple of seasons.

However, the Brazilian is in the final year of his contract at Manchester City and should likely leave at the end of the season. Fernandinho will turn 37 in May and the next summer transfer window would be the ideal time for Pep Guardiola to bring in his replacement.

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Having said that, Italian news outlet Calciomercato understands that Manchester City are interested in Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, but they’ll have to fend off interest from AS Roma for his signature next summer.

Denis Zakaria, 24, has developed into a top holding midfielder in the Bundesliga over the last couple of years. He has impressed with his passing, work ethic, ball-winning and tackling ability, whilst racking up more than 130 appearances across all competitions for Borussia Monchengladbach.

However, the Switzerland international’s contract at Borussia Park is set to expire next summer, meaning he’ll be free to negotiate with foreign clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement from January 1 onwards. The current contract situation has made the 24-year-old an attractive option for several European clubs, including Manchester City, who are set to lose Fernandinho next year.

That would leave the Sky Blues with Rodri as the only defensive midfielder, and with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne becoming injury-prone in recent years and Bernardo Silva linked with a move to Barcelona, a player like Denis Zakaria could help Pep Guardiola’s side in many ways.

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Zakaria would serve as the long-term replacement for Fernandinho and there could be a healthy competition between Rodri and Zakaria for the holding midfielder’s position in Guardiola’s XI, whilst the Swiss improving the midfield options at the Etihad Stadium.

At 24, Zakaria has a long way to go in his career and on a potential free transfer next summer, he would represent a massive coup for Manchester City.

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