Arsenal are reportedly planning to make an audacious swoop to sign Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, as per Spanish outlet Fichajes.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho are the two options Mikel Arteta currently has to deploy in the deep-lying playmaker position. Declan Rice can also play in this position if needed but the Spanish boss has been using the Englishman in a box-to-box role after purchasing him for a club record £105m fee last year.
However, Partey and Jorginho have entered the final year of their respective contracts and they are looking likely to leave the club as a free agent at the end of this season.
Therefore, if both or either one of them eventually leave then the North London club will have to sign a new midfielder to strengthen the engine room.
Now, Fichajes state that Arsenal are interested in Tchouameni and the player could be available next summer as Real Madrid are prepared to cash-in on him following his underwhelming displays thus far this season.
Tchouameni to Arsenal
The Gunners are prepared to offer Tchouameni a new project that will allow him to showcase his best.
The report say the Premier League would be the Frenchman’s potential destination if he were to leave but Arsenal aren’t the only English club interested in him as Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on purchasing him.
The 24-year-old still has three and a half years left in his current contract and is valued at around £83m by Transfermarkt. Therefore, Arsenal will have to break the bank to lure him to the Emirates Stadium.
Tchouameni, standing at 6ft 2in tall, is a defensive midfielder by traits but is also comfortable playing in the centre-back position if needed.
Although the midfielder hasn’t been able to showcase his best in La Liga in recent times, he is still young and has time on his side to turn his fortune around.
The France international is a robust player and the Premier League would be the perfect destination for him to flourish. Therefore, he would be a great coup for Arsenal if they purchase him.
However, it is going to be interesting to see whether the Emirates Club eventually make a concrete approach to secure his service next year.