Reports across the European media today suggest that Arsenal have set their sights on a pair of La Liga stars as potential summer recruits.
Arteta’s struggling squad
Amid another largely-disappointing campaign to this point, Arsenal are expected to be extremely active on the transfer front upon the reopening of the market over the coming months.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic brought football across Europe to a standstill, the Gunners sat 9th in the Premier League table.
The capital giants were also ousted from the Europa League in heartbreaking fashion by Greek outfit Olympiacos late last month, on the back of a late collapse.
As such, another season without Champions League football looms large for Mikel Arteta’s men in 2020/21.
The prospect of missing out on a spot in Europe’s top-tier competition once again, meanwhile, has led to inevitable rumours that some of the club’s top talents could be on the move this summer.
They key name to have been tipped for an Arsenal exit to this point has been Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who, amid another fruitful campaign in front of goal, has been persistently-linked with La Liga champions Barcelona.
Arsenal’s Spanish head coach Mikel Arteta (R) speaks with Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2020. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP)
Mesut Ozil, meanwhile, continues to court rumoured interest from Fenerbahce, while uncertainty also surrounds the future of Real Madrid-owned Dani Ceballos.
Arsenal’s midfield targets
As a result, if, as expected, any number of players do in fact depart the Emirates ahead of next season, Mikel Arteta’s paper-thin squad will be stretched to its limits.
Such a scenario, though, is no doubt set to result in a host of new faces also arriving in north London over the months to come.
And, if the latest speculation is to be believed, then those in charge of transfers at Arsenal appear to have focused their attentions on the Spanish top-flight when it comes to potential recruits.
First, a report from the Daily Star, since picked up on by a host of other outlets, suggested that the Gunners are eyeing Real Betis star Nabil Fekir.
Former Liverpool target Fekir has enjoyed a fruitful debut campaign in La Liga, having directly contributed to 13 goals in 22 appearances.
However, the French international could reportedly be on the move once again this summer, as Arsenal prepare for the likely scenario of Dani Ceballos returning to Real Madrid.
Fekir, though, is not the only La Liga-based midfielder on the radar of Mikel Arteta and co.
Reports stemming from Spain (as cited by Goal) suggest that Arsenal are also interested in Valencia standout Carlos Soler.
VALENCIA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 12: Paul Pogba of Manchester United and Carlos Soler of Valencia in action during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Valencia and Manchester United at Estadio Mestalla on December 12, 2018 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Soler is labelled as a key summer target for the capital giants, with Arteta said to be a huge fan of the talents of his fellow countryman.
One potential stumbling block would be the 23-year-old’s eye-watering rumoured €150 million release clause, but reports suggest that Arsenal are hopeful of thrashing out a deal with Valencia based around a considerably lower sum.
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