The Premier League leaders are gearing up for a major transfer window this summer. Former England international Joe Cole has shared his thoughts on how the north London side should approach this window. He believes a superstar from Paris Saint-Germain could be the final piece to help Arsenal build long-term dominance.
Joe Cole urges Arsenal to sign PSG superstar
Speaking on a podcast a few days ago, Joe Cole spoke with high praise for Paris Saint-Germain attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He views the Georgian as someone who could help Arsenal build towards lasting success.
Colesaid,“The way Arsenal as a club are set up now, they’re on the cusp of it. Imagine putting him in this Arsenal team.”
Kvaratskhelia carries an elite football pedigree. Serie A gave him the Most Valuable Player award during his time at Napoli for the 2022–23 season. He also won the Champions League Young Player of the Season in the same year. Also, he has won the continental treble and scored in a Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain last season.
Joe Cole thinks the winger is the missing piece for the attack because of his creativity and flair. Reports are now claiming that the London club are exploring a deal ahead of the summer window.
Arsenal eye blockbuster deal amid PSG resistance
The pursuit of the Georgian star fits with a planned overhaul at the north London club. The Gunners have been seeking a massive deal to boost their forward options ahead of the 2026/27 season.
But Paris Saint-Germain will keep a tough stance during discussions. The French champions see Kvaratskhelia as key to their project and have no intention of letting him leave. The Georgian arrived on a fee of €75 million from Napoli. But now reports show his market value has risen greatly, with a possible fee reaching as high as £160 million. The player is also under contract till 2029.
For his part, the player has expressed joy in Paris and a desire to become a club legend. But his camp is believed to be open for a Premier League move.
To afford such a deal, the club is thinking about the sale of senior players. Martinelli or Trossard could be up for sale this summer. Joe Cole, however, has put forward a different means to raise funds.
Joe Cole sparks debate with Odegaard sale suggestion
The former England player has suggested that the club could cash in on their captain, Martin Odegaard. He states that the club now have the luxury to sell the creative midfielder to fund new arrivals.
Coleargues that Odegaard has been struggling for form and fitness this season. The Norwegian has started only 13 league games and managed just one goal in all competitions. Consequently, his influence in key moments has dropped. Also, he has missed 22 games this term due to recurring knee and shoulder injuries.
Contract concerns also play a role, as other senior players will soon require top-tier salary extensions. Additionally, the rise of youngsters like Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri does give Arsenal more options for the future in midfield.
Why Arteta is unlikely to lose his captain?
Despite the external speculation, selling the captain remains a bold and unlikely claim. Odegaard remains central to the build-up play and provides vital experience and leadership. Last season, Odegaard led the league with 88 open-play chances created. He also set a record by completing over 100 passes and creating five chances in one Premier League game.
Arteta also has always backed the player and sees him as a key man in his squad. Arsenal are currently chasing major trophies and are unlikely to rush a decision on such a pivotal figure. Stability often takes priority over speculation during a title run-in. Therefore, the internal thinking of the club likely differs from the opinions expressed by pundits.
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Souvik Bose
Souvik Bose is a junior football writer at Football Express, where he contributes articles focused on ongoing developments and discussions from the football world. His work involves covering news stories, key talking points, and the narratives that shape how fans engage with the sport. At Football Express, Souvik focuses on delivering football coverage that is timely, informative, and accessible to readers following the game closely. His writing reflects a deep interest in the evolving culture of football and the stories that emerge around the sport’s biggest moments.
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