Manchester United are best-placed to sign Borussia Monchengladbach defensive midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to reports in Germany.
The 23-year-old has shone in the Bundesliga this season and has attracted interest from European giants including Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool .
However, Sky Sports Germany report that the Red Devils are leading the race to land his signature.
Zakaria, who is contracted at Monchengladbach until 2022, has been a mainstay in the starting XI this season and has contributed two goals and two assists in his 31 appearances.
The versatile Switzerland international's natural position is at the base of midfield, but he can also play at centre-back or in a more advance midfield role.
His form has helped guide Monchengladbach to fifth in the table and the club are determined to keep hold of him.
"I think that there is a very good chance that Denis will still be with us next year if we qualify for the Champions League, "Sporting director Max Eberl said.
'Gladbach are one point off fourth-place Bayer Leverkusen, but have a game in hand as they look to force their way into the Champions League places.
But that is unlikely to fend off the Red Devils in their pursuit of Zakaria and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently spoke of the need to recruit players to become compete for the Premier League.
"We feel we are improving all the time," he said after the 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
"We know we lack one, two, three players to be considered a title contender and some experience.
”We are just going to start talking about going up the table, getting more points."
United have relied on Scott McTominay in midfield this season and, despite recent impressive performances and a new contract, established defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic is now 31-years-old.
As such, the Red Devils are looking to improve their options and could table an offer to end Zakaria's three-year stint in Germany this summer.
