Despite closing in on the signing of Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal could yet add another midfielder to Mikel Arteta’s ranks this summer.
Zubimendi is set to undergo his medical ahead of a £51 million switch from Real Sociedad, with the Gunners landing their primary midfield target early in the window.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey is expected to sign a new contract at Arsenal that could keep him at the Emirates for another two years.
This will mean the Gunners will need to source a long-term successor to the Ghanaian in the upcoming windows, and Andrea Berta may even opt to do so this summer if the right man is available on the market.
Arsenal transfer target Andrey Santos says he plans to stay at Chelsea
Few midfielders have been linked with Arsenal since the news broke in January that Zubimendi is expected to sign from Sociedad.
However, reports did emerge in April indicating that Arsenal are interested in acquiring Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who spent the duration of this season on loan at the Blues’ partner club, Strasbourg.
Santos had an excellent campaign in Ligue 1, scoring ten goals in 32 appearances in the French top flight.
With the Brazilian’s future in Enzo Maresca’s side uncertain, given the number of midfielders at the Italian’s disposal, the Gunners were looking to pounce on the situation and make an aggressive move for the 21-year-old.
However, Santos has dismissed speculation linking him with a switch away from Stamford Bridge, claiming that he plans to stay in West London this summer.
“Everyone knows about my love, my desire to play for Chelsea,” he told the Daily Mail.
While this doesn’t categorically rule out a summer exit for the starlet, it does suggest that if Maresca wants to integrate him, then he’ll likely remain at Chelsea.
Given how well he played for Strasbourg last season, and given how much Chelsea forked out for him, the former Manchester City assistant will surely at least be keen to take a look at the youngster.
Santos has been described as ‘magnificent’ and certainly boasts some attributes that make him an intriguing potential Partey replacement, sharing similar press-resistant qualities to the Arsenal man.
With no clear target now in sight, Berta may opt to kick this can down the road after Partey signs his extension.
Who should Arsenal have looked at in midfield?
While Zubimendi arrives likely expecting to assume many of the minutes Partey had last season, there are still question marks around whether the Spaniard was the right man for the Gunners.
Clunky on the ball at times and not boasting particularly impressive passing numbers, there are concerns that the Sociedad man doesn’t possess the quality required to play for Arsenal.
However, Arsenal opted to sign the player, and perhaps more egregiously, have opted to keep hold of an ageing and declining Partey for another year at least.
The Gunners should’ve parted ways with the 31-year-old and looked to rebuild their midfield with a younger option.
Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller is one of the most attractive defensive midfielders on the market and should’ve been one Arsenal explored.
Completing 9.48 progressive passes per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season, Stiller is an exceptional passer of the ball and would’ve eradicated any issues Arsenal have had with ball progression.
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