The upcoming summer transfer window is set to witness numerous top-quality players available on free transfer. Many players have decided to run down contracts at their current clubs to explore other options in the summer. Bayern Munich is exploring this particular market, but they are set to miss out on one of their key targets.
According to Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus has opened talks to sign Bayern’s transfer target Denis Zakaria. The Swiss midfielder is running down his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach, but the Italian club is looking to sign him in the final days of the winter transfer window for a nominal fee.
Apart from Di Marzio, Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that Juventus is looking to seal a permanent move for Zakaria before Monday. Die Roten is not eager to get involved in the bidding war as they wanted to sign Zakaria on a free transfer in the summer.
Zakaria has been consistently linked with a move to Bavaria in the past 12 months. With Niklas Sule set to leave in the summer transfer window, Zakaria emerged as an attractive option for Rekordmeister. He can play as a central defender despite being a specialist midfielder for Gladbach.
Bayern was only interested in a free transfer: they were out of the race for Zakaria in the Winter ✅ https://t.co/3ZuEDSbx46
— Tobi Altschäffl (@altobelli13) January 29, 2022
Rekordmeister will also look to bolster the midfield options in the summer transfer window. Zakaria would have been a good fit for Die Roten since he has the experience of playing in the Bundesliga. As things stand, it does look like he will be playing at Allianz Stadium in Turin instead of Allianz Arena.
The defending Bundesliga Champions are yet to get a clear picture about the midfield situation for next season. Mickael Cuisance has already left the club to join Venezia on a permanent deal. The French midfielder sealed a move away from Bavaria at the start of the winter window.
Marc Roca decided to stay at Die Roten after delivering a couple of impressive performances before the winter break. The Spaniard may decide to leave Bayern in the summer window if he struggles for consistent playing time in the second half of the season.
Finally, the situation of Corentin Tolisso will have to be resolved one way or the other. The French midfielder was expected to leave at the end of the season on a free transfer, but the last couple of weeks have seen reports in Germany suggesting that both parties are open to contract renewal. The Bavarian club will have to assess other midfield targets in the summer, depending on how the futures of current midfielders are resolved.