With Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny all heavily rumoured to be heading for the Arsenal exit door over the next 12 months, Mikel Arteta would be wise to scour the transfer market for midfield alternatives. Here, Express Sport takes you through four compelling options the Gunners could bring in to partner Declan Rice…
Douglas Luiz
The Brazilian has taken his game to a new level under Aston Villa boss Unai Emery this season. Boasting five goals and an assist in 12 Premier League appearances, Luiz is effective going both ways, and Arteta is known to be a fan.
The Gunners saw a £25million bid rejected by Villa last summer, and given that the midfielder’s career is only heading one way, it is no surprise to see that their interest has reportedly reignited ahead of the January transfer window.
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Arthur Vermeeren
If Arteta fancies more of a gamble, he need look no further than Royal Antwerp midfield general Vermeeren. The 18-year-old has never played in a top European league, and his inexperience casts doubt on whether he could slot straight into the Arsenal starting XI.
But there is no shortage of excitement around how good the youngster could become. Arsenal and Barcelona are believed to be at the front of the queue for the Belgian, who has made four Champions League appearances this term and could cost as little as £13m.
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Gabriel Moscardo
From one youngster to another, 18-year-old Moscardo is an exciting talent for whom top European clubs have begun forming an orderly queue; including Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Now a pillar of the Corinthians first team, the teenager reportedly caught the eye of sporting director Edu during a recent scouting trip to his native Brazil. Chelsea had an £18m bid for Moscardo rejected in the summer, and his price tag has increased in the meantime.
Martin Zubimendi
Experienced by comparison, 24-year-old Zubimendi has racked up more than 200 first-team appearances for Real Sociedad. His exploits in defensive midfield have also seen him break through on the international stage, earning four caps for Spain over the past two years.
Arteta and co are believed to hold a long-standing interest in Zubimendi, and while they proved reluctant to pull the trigger in the summer, it remains to be seen whether the Londoners have come around to the prospect of shelling out his £53m release clause.
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