Martin Zubimendi with his Arsenal teammates (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Arsenal have been advised to seal the transfer of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes as he could be an upgrade on Martin Zubimendi.
The talented young Portugal international has been a top performer for the Hammers this season, and it seems inevitable that they’re going to struggle to keep him from moving to a bigger club.
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This has led to plenty of speculation over Fernandes’ future, with the Times most recently linking him as someone Arsenal would like, with Christian Norgaard perhaps set to be offloaded.
Fernandes might also be an improvement on Zubimendi, according to former Aston Villa star Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Arsenal should sign Mateus Fernandes as upgrade on overhyped Martin Zubimendi
Speaking to talkSPORT, Agbonlahor made it clear that he rates Fernandes really highly, and can see him in an Arsenal shirt.
Meanwhile, the pundit added that he’s not sure he gets the hype with Zubimendi, who has faded a bit after initially making a strong start to life at the Emirates Stadium.
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“Listen, I can see him (Fernandes) in an Arsenal shirt,” Agbonlahor said.
“I think he’s a better player than Zubimendi, I really do. I’m not sure about the hype with Zubimendi.
“(Myles) Lewis-Skelly’s taken his place now, but to add numbers and strengthen (I would sign Fernandes).
“I think he could have his pick of Premier League clubs. I rate him highly.”
Mateus Fernandes described as “extraordinary”
Meanwhile, actor and TV presenter James Corden, who is also a West Ham fan, spoke on talkSPORT to praise Fernandes’ qualities.
Corden admits he can see Fernandes shining at a bigger club as he’s a similar profile of player to Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha.
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“Fernandes, I think, is an extraordinary footballer,” he said.
“He reminds me a bit of Vitinha, who is now at PSG, was at Wolves. I think Fernandes has that sort of ability.”
That’s high praise indeed, and it certainly seems like Arsenal would do well to add someone like that to their squad, with Mikel Arteta’s side performing well this season but occasionally lacking that quality in the final third.