A former CEO reveals that a £60 million player from his former club is currently in behind-the-scenes negotiations to join Arsenal.
Midfielders linked with moves to Arsenal this summer
Uncertainty surrounds the future of current engine room ace Thomas Partey, and Mohamed Elneny is already confirmed to be leaving Hale End on June 30.
While Arsenal elected to extend Jorginho’s contract, manager Mikel Arteta is still looking to bring in another midfielder who can compete with or partner star man Declan Rice in the middle of the park.
Many names have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, including the likes of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Everton ace Amadou Onana.
Zubimendi is happy at Real Sociedad despite Arsenal being willing to pay his release clause, so the Gunners may well turn to Guimaraes as an alternative given the Brazilian’s phenomenal campaign on Tyneside. Reports suggest Arsenal could make a player-plus-cash offer for Guimaraes, in an effort to avoid paying £100 million (Football Transfers), but it may well still be a difficult deal to pull off this summer.
Onana, meanwhile, could be sacrificed by the Toffees in an attempt to comply with PSR and make a big-money sale by June 30. Everton reportedly value Onana up to £60 million, with the Belgian even called one of Europe’s most exciting talents by Roberto Martinez.
“He’s a really exciting footballer. I know sometimes when we speak about players it’s very difficult to measure potential,” he told Sky Sports News.
“We’re talking about a 20-year-old boy that is probably one of the most talented young players at that age in European football. That’s how excited we are in Belgium.
“He’s already played in two major leagues in Germany and France, he joined Lille for a big fee and nothing is going to faze him to go into a new project after a big transfer fee.
