Arsenal are in talks to sign a new midfielder who has been lighting the Bundesliga up in recent weeks.
The Gunners were foiled in their attempts to land Douglas Luiz on Deadline Day when they made three separate bids for the Aston Villa No.6. Injuries to Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey forced manager Mikel Arteta's hand in the market – while Youri Tielemans was a rumoured target throughout the window.
With Albert Sambi Lokonga able to function as the deepest midfielder in Arteta's 4-3-3, however, depth in either of the two of other midfield berths would be preferrable in the next couple of transfer windows.
According to a report from German outlet Bild, Arsenal are now targeting Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom this January – and have made preliminary contact with his representatives over a deal.
Lindstrom has been excellent for the Europa League winners both in the Bundesliga and in Europe and would be a low-cost option for the Gunners' midfield. At just 22, he would be a player for the future, with 30-year-old Granit Xhaka and captain Martin Odegaard both first-choice in the pecking order.
Arsenal also have the likes of summer signing Fabio Vieira and Hale End academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe to choose from as midfield options – while teen sensation Charlie Patino is on loan at Blackpool and could well compete for a spot next season.
football.london have suggested that England duo Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham may well be options for Arteta – but both would command fees that would surely break the north Londoners' £72 million record transfer, dished out in 2019 for Nicolas Pepe.
Arteta is also said to be on the lookout for another attacking option for his frontline, with the only natural back-up for talisman Bukayo Saka currently the Brazilian youngster Marquinhos. Depth at right-back and on the left of centre-back may well be on the agenda too next summer.
Lindstrom is valued at around £22m by Transfermarkt.
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Arsenal were looking for a “mystery winger” to complete their squad, while a midfielder was also been touted.
After Nicolas Pepe left the Gunners for more minutes on loan at Nice, manager Mikel Arteta declared a desire to “add firepower”, though he could not guarantee a new player will come in. The Gunners still have interest in Pedro Neto, as well as a Ukrainian wonderkid.
Mohamed Elneny’s injury means that midfield is a little weak right now. FFT reported months ago that personal terms with Youri Tielemans were agreed, with the north Londoners just needing to agree a fee with Leicester: one obstacle remained on Deadline Day. In other news, Bukayo Saka has hinted that he’s close to extending his contract.
