Man Utd handed transfer boost as Gladbach chief delivers Denis Zakaria update

Manchester United have been handed a major transfer boost after Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl issued an update on the future of Denis Zakaria.

Zakaria has become one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga since joining Gladbach in 2017 from Swiss Super League giants Young Boys and is a regular starter for Adi Hutter's side.

His performances in the German top-flight have drawn the eye of several of Europe's top clubs, including United and Liverpool, with both in the market for a central midfielder.

The Red Devils have seen the position as one of the biggest weaknesses in their squad for some time, but were unable to boost their options in that area during the summer transfer window.

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They could finally seek to address it this month, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick struggling to improve performances since he replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Zakaria would be a clear target for United, with the Swiss international having excelled in defensive midfield for Gladbach.

But there is a fast-approaching problem for the Bundesliga side, with Zakaria's contract expiring at the end of the season.

And with clubs such as United tracking his progress, Zakaria is understandably unwilling to put pen to paper on a new deal at Borussia-Park.

He is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club this month, or Gladbach could try to sell him for a cut-price fee.

The Bundesliga side are understood to be ready to accept as little as £5million to ensure they bring in at least some money for the midfielder.

While United are dragging their feet on submitting a bid for any of their targets, Eberl has admitted that Zakaria is free to depart this month.

"There's nothing on my desk," the Gladbach sporting director told Kicker.

"It's not surprising that there is speculation about both of them and especially Denis, but it's no longer our topic.

"They both still have a half year of contract. But we have also said again and again that if something comes up that we have to deal with for financial reasons.

"I cannot rule out that both will leave the club in winter - or one. There will be changes in the summer. We've worked with one squad for almost three years now."

Interestingly, Zakaria was left out of the Gladbach squad that suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

The club reported that he had suffered a hip strain and so was absent for medical reasons, though there is of course no point in Gladbach risking him if they are trying to sell.

United's lack of quality has continued to be exposed in the first-half of the season, with Rangnick facing a challenging battle to secure a top four place.

The defeat at home to Leverkusen meanwhile has left Gladbach in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, just four points above Augsberg, who occupy the relegation play-off place.