Arsenal told ‘complete’ Eredivisie star is destined to play at the Emirates – even if he costs £50m

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Mikel Arteta could have been handed a future transfer boost as one player has been identified as a perfect match for Arsenal.

Arsenal had a busy summer in the 2024 transfer window, welcoming five players to the Emirates both on loan and permanently.

A wave of players also left N5 and soon, further change is expected following Edu Gaspar’s shock departure.

Arsenal’s hunt for a new sporting director is underway, with Edu’s replacement handed a transfer hint from abroad.

• READ MORE: Five of the best and worst Edu signings at Arsenal

Ismael Saibari is destined to join Arsenal 

As relayed by Voetbal Zone, former Netherlands international Rene van der Gijp predicted that one PSV Eindhoven ace could one day play for Arsenal. 

Van der Gijp praised PSV’s Ismael Saibari, describing him as a player well-suited to the Premier League.

“Saibari, he has such a drive. He has everything a complete midfielder needs. He is always on the move,” Van der Gijp said.

“I really have the idea that he will end up at Arsenal. I am really convinced of that, yes,” he concluded. 

It’s a particularly interesting take from the player-turned-pundit, who isn’t the first ex-professional to make the same call.

In January, Ali Boussaboun referenced Saibari in the same sentence as the Gunners before the attacker went to the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco. 

“If Saibari does well [at AFCON], his market value will increase by 10 or 20 million euros. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal pick him up after the season,” Boussaboun said to NU. 

The former Feyenoord star then warned the Eredivisie side that selling Saibari for less than a certain price would be unacceptable.

“If PSV sells him for less than 60 million euros, they will have failed,” he declared. 

Seeing that the versatile midfielder signed a new deal at PSV in 2023, it could be that his asking price is close to the €60m (£50m) mark, as Boussaboun predicted. 

What Ismael Saibari could offer Arsenal 

Saibari is so highly rated in the Netherlands because of his versatility in attack, being capable of excelling in a wide range of roles.

The 23-year-old predominantly plays in a three-man midfield for PSV, where he’s found great success in the final third already this term. 

In 16 appearances in all competitions, Saibari has contributed to 10 goals, sending a clear message to any club that might wish to sign him in the near future.

At Arsenal, Saibari could be an appreciated acquisition given how he could help bolster Arteta’s squad depth.

This could particularly help in attacking and central midfield where the squad is low on numbers, as Arteta realised when Arsenal struggled without Martin Odegaard.

While Arsenal haven’t been directly linked to the Moroccan, it’s suggested by two sources that the midfielder would be a good match for Arteta, giving the Spaniard something to think about.