Bayern Munich and Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign reported Arsenal target Denis Zakaria this month, with Borussia Dortmund also said to be in discussions over a potential deal.
The 25-year-old is set to leave his current club, Borussia Monchengladbach, in the summer, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
The Swiss international has already refused to sign a new contract, looking to move on to another club with plenty of reported interest in his services.
The Gunners are one side who have been linked with a move for the midfielder, especially given their current conundrum in central midfield.
Mikel Arteta is said to be interested in bringing Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo on-loan until the end of the season, having let Ainsley Maitland-Niles leave for AS Roma on a loan-to-permanent deal.
Egypt international Mohamed Elneny is set to leave on a free at the end of the season too, leaving Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga as the only three recognised senior midfielders.
That may be where Zakaria comes in, with the free transfer potentially saving the club millions on transfer fees that they could spend elsewhere.
However, according to ESPN, both Bayern Munich and Liverpool have entered the fray to try and are trying to convince the midfielder to sign.
The report claims that both sides, as well as Borussia Dortmund, have made the most serious enquiries to land him this month.
Monchengladbach are believed to be willing to let Zakaria leave this month, in an attempt to lose him on a Bosman transfer in the summer.
This could deal Arteta a potential blow in building his squad for both the rest of this season and the next.
Not only that, but a potential move to Liverpool could deal a double blow as it strengthens a Premier League rival for the upcoming season.
