Although Arsenal are primarily thought to be looking for a forward to sign right now, the club also have some other situations to solve on the horizon.
Both Thomas Partey and Jorginho will be out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season as things stand.
Collectively, the pair have made 43 appearances for Mikel Arteta across all competitions this season, explaining how important any replacement will be.
Arteta has recently been experimenting with Declan Rice playing as a number six again, suggesting that Arsenal could bring a few versatile options in – they don’t strictly need a number six.
Arsenal considering bid for Sunderland star Jobe Bellingham
With that in mind, Football Transfers are now reporting that Arsenal are interested in a potential deal for Sunderland ace, Jobe Bellingham.
19-year-old Bellingham has somewhat been living in his brother’s shadow, who is now starring at Real Madrid.
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But Jobe is now starring at Sunderland in his own right, a midfielder who seems destined to star in the Premier League.
According to the report, securing a young, dynamic midfielder has emerged as a ‘top priority’ for Arteta, and Bellingham fits the bill.
The Gunners are monitoring the England under-21 international’s progress closely, who is impressing in several roles.
In addition, it’s reported that Bellingham has a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to leave Sunderland should a top-flight club make a suitable offer.
Jobe Bellingham is already the perfect partner for Declan Rice
Arsenal are chasing a forward in January, but perhaps Bellingham could be one of the first that the club pursues once the current season ends.
Bellingham’s current boss at Sunderland, Regis Le Bris, has perhaps already explained what the young midfielder could potentially provide Arsenal with in the future.
Speaking last month following a win over Norwich City, Le Bris said: “Jobe is so powerful. He wants to affect the game, he had good quality today.
“It’s not a big surprise for us but you have to do it on the pitch. He did very well today to score the second goal.
“I don’t have to say to Jobe, ‘you can score’, it’s just now a question of his position. We talk now a lot about positions on the pitch because if he can manage different situations, he can be involved in the build-up, in the high pressure and low pressure.
“But if you want to affect the score properly, the opposition has to be a little bit higher on the pitch. We spoke a lot about this position for our eights, especially for Jobe because out of possession he plays as a six. So it’s not easy to find the right balance with the offensive part of the game.
“He played the first game of the season higher on the pitch like with two strikers, then as a midfielder. It was easier to find the right position and adjustment. I think he’s doing well. He learns so very quickly.”
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