Arsenal are keen to sign a midfielder, with the future of Thomas Partey at the club in doubt.
Arsenal are weighing up a number of potential midfield signings ahead of the upcoming January transfer window, as there is interest in Thomas Partey from elsewhere.
Two Saudi Arabian clubs are now keen to snap up Partey this winter. Mikel Arteta should certainly seriously consider any offer that presents itself for the 30-year-old.
Arsenal do now need to let Partey go. The Ghanaian’s injury issues make him a burden on the squad, and the Gunners can’t afford to have their progress undermined by his absence at any point this season, as it has been in previous campaigns.
Arteta won’t have a huge budget to work with in this mid-season window, but selling Partey would help to fund his replacement. One thing that the north London club cannot afford to let happen is allowing Partey to leave the Emirates Stadium without an adequate replacement being brought in to take his place.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three of the main targets that Arsenal are currently considering and weigh up which would be the most ideal signing at this time.
Three Arsenal midfield transfer targets ranked
Gabriel Moscardo
Gabriel Moscardo is the most affordable option on this list. However, there is a reason for that. The 18-year-old has bags of potential and is a hugely exciting prospect, but is entirely untested at the highest level of the club game. He would be an exciting addition to make in the summer. However, it would be a huge ask for the teenager to come in in January and make an immediate impact in the Premier League. Given they are aiming for a successful title push this season, Arsenal need someone who can hit the ground running.
Moscardo is apparently available for just £26 million, but Arsenal should resist that temptation, for the time being at least.
Ruben Neves
David Ornstein recently revealed that he expects Ruben Neves to stay with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal this winter. Given they only signed him from Wolves for £47 million in the recent summer transfer window, they are understandably reluctant to let him leave so quickly.
Neves is a top class player and would be a great tactical fit for Arsenal, though he may have suffered somewhat from having competed at a lower standard than the Premier League so far this season.
Douglas Luiz
Our top choice, and seemingly Arteta’s, is Douglas Luiz, who has been dubbed Arsenal’s “dream” target. The Brazilian ace won’t come cheap, and Aston Villa are desperate to retain his services. However, if there is any chance of getting a deal done, the Gunners have to go for it.
Luiz is in fine form and has established himself as one of the finest midfield operators in the English top flight. Arteta has admired the player for some time and still covets him.
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