It’s looking increasingly likely that Thomas Partey will not be playing for Arsenal next season, and Andrea Berta is subsequently lining up replacements.
Partey is expected to reject Arsenal’s contract proposal after being disappointed by the financial terms offered to him by the North London club.
Despite Martin Zubimendi’s imminent arrival, Berta will need to source another midfield recruit if Partey does end up leaving, alongside the already departed Jorginho.
Lucien Agoume has been mooted as an option, while the likes of Warren Zaire-Emery and Christian Norgaard have also been linked with a switch to N5.
However, the Gunners would need to outlay relatively significant fees on all three players, which could prohibit them from strengthening in other departments that are more in need of bolstering.
Arsenal should sign Zambo Anguissa for free this summer
Arsenal have a lot to do this summer, while they also have to work within their somewhat restricted budget.
The priority for Berta and Mikel Arteta is to strengthen in the attacking areas, with a wide forward and a striker needed, and this is where the bulk of the resources will be allocated.
This may mean that the Gunners hierarchy have to get creative with the way in which they replace Partey, instead of splashing £17 million on an unproven Agoume.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa could be the perfect Partey successor, with the Cameroonian expected to leave Napoli when his contract expires at the end of this month.
While there have been reports suggesting that the Serie A winners will trigger the one-year extension that’s included in his deal, this has yet to be confirmed and there are conflicting reports indicating that he’s eager for a new challenge.
Experienced at the top level in Italy and in the Premier League, Arsenal could reserve funds for other signings by bringing Anguissa in for free this summer.
The Gunners likely have the financial muscle to attract the 29-year-old, while a late career spell at one of the biggest clubs in Europe likely appeals to him, regardless of the playing time he’s likely to receive.
More of an advanced eight than a six like Partey, Anguissa does share the Ghanaian’s quality of being excellent at evading a press by manipulating the ball in tight spaces.
Also exceptional out-of-possession, the ex-Fulham man would slot into Arteta’s defensively resilient side perfectly.
If he doesn’t extend his stay in Naples, it’s a no-brainer for Berta.
Arsenal tried to sign Zambo Anguissa in 2021
Arsenal are long-term admirers of Anguissa.
Back in 2021, after Fulham had been relegated back to the Championship, Arsenal expressed an interest in Anguissa, as they looked to provide cover and competition for Partey and Granit Xhaka.
The Cottagers had paid a club-record transfer fee of around £22.3 million for the midfielder back in 2018, and Marco Silva was eager to recoup this and make a profit, asking suitors to pay £30 million for the player’s services.
Instead, the Gunners moved for Albert Sambi Lokonga, opting to go down the cheaper and younger route.
This certainly turned out to be a poor decision from Arteta and Edu, with Lokonga not fulfilling his potential and Anguissa developing into an accomplished midfielder who now has two Serie A titles to his name.
They could now finally land their man.
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