Arsenal are working really hard to sign a new midfielder on transfer deadline day.
The Gunners lost Mikel Merino to a serious foot injury that is set to keep him out of action for several weeks, potentially even until the end of the season.
Arsenal have decent depth, but the fact that they are still in all four competitions means bringing in a new player would be helpful too.
After the Sandro Tonali news came to nothing, Arsenal have just turned their attention to a Bayern Munich player late on deadline day – Leon Goretzka.
After Merino’s injury, who should Arsenal sign in a shock deadline day deal?
Arsenal enquire about signing Leon Goretzka from Bayern Munich
Goretzka is one of the most accomplished midfielders in Europe.
The Germany international has won the Bundesliga title six times and has been an integral player for them over the years.
However, Goretzka has entered the final six months of his contract, and the feeling has been that he would leave on a free transfer at the end of this campaign.
Now, Graeme Bailey has revealed on X that Arsenal have enquired about the possibility of signing the 30-year-old midfielder as they look to replace Mikel Merino.
talkSPORT have reported the same as well, but they claim that a deal this late on deadline day is considered unlikely.
At the time of writing, there are two-and-a-half hours left in the window, but Arsenal can get a two-hour extension if they submit a deal sheet by then.
It remains to be seen if they will be able to do that with Goretzka or someone else.
Leon Goretzka to Arsenal – yes or no? Tell us why!
Mikel Arteta is adamant that Arsenal need a new signing before the deadline
Mikel Arteta has always valued Merino as an important player, and he has claimed that the midfielder’s injury is a big blow to Arsenal.
In his press conference ahead of the game against Chelsea, the Arsenal manager made it clear that he would like to bring in a replacement before the window shuts.
Arteta said, as per Arsenal.com: “When you lose a big player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything that we possibly can to see if we have a player that is available.
“We are actively looking at options and we will continue to do that. My day will be the same as usual, I will be busier and if we have a final solution, I will try to do it, and if we don’t, we will continue in the manner that we are now.”
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