Manchester City have reportedly been handed a huge boost in their attempts to sign Borussia Monchengladbach's Denis Zakaria, as the German club have slashed their asking price for the midfielder.
Citizens boss Pep Guardiola is allegedly looking to sign a central midfielder this summer, with 35-year-old Fernandinho expected to leave when his contract expires at the end of this season.
According to German news outlet Bild, Monchengladbach have been forced to lower their asking price to around £17.1m for the 24-year-old due to the current financial climate and also because his contract is set to expire at the end of next season.
Zakaria has endured a difficult campaign with Gladbach, who currently sit 10th in the Bundesliga table, while he has had several issues with a knee problem over the past year.
Monchengladbach's sporting director Max Eberl has already ruled out the possibility of the Swiss international leaving on a free transfer, which suggests that he will depart in this summer's transfer window.
Zakaria has made 24 appearances for the German club so far this campaign, scoring once in a 2-2 draw against Stuttgart in January.
Oliver Thomas
