Alex Scott is the latest midfielder offered by Arsenal as they aim to strengthen the squad that won the Premier League title last season.
After three years of falling short of the title race, manager Mikel Arteta last month oversaw the Gunners’ first league success since 2004. And while the club may not have followed that up with a first Champions League win, they are not resting on their laurels ahead of the new season and have ambitions to strengthen significantly in the transfer market.
As well as wanting to improve the left side of their attack, Arsenal are looking to further strengthen their midfield and are interested in Scott and Newcastle duo Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali.
However, it is difficult to land proven midfielders in the Premier League these days, with rivals Tottenham and Manchester United targeting West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes.
West Ham value Fernandes at £85m, well below the £80m charged for the Scot. Evaluating the 22-year-old is not the only hurdle facing Arsenal.
BBC Sport reports that Bournemouth have rejected approaches for the midfielder, and any deal appears to be made difficult by Bournemouth’s insistence that one of the Premier League’s most promising young players is not for sale this summer.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal, or any of Scott’s other suitors, will seriously try that stance. Bournemouth are looking to lock Scott into new terms with a new contract that includes a release clause.
As a result, it remains to be seen how Arsenal will pursue a new central midfielder.
Arsenal are also targeting Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães (Image: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Newcastle take a similar stance with Guimarães, who believe he is unsaleable. Whether that will stop Arsenal from making any further progress is debatable, with Arsenal already making contact through intermediaries and seeing a verbal offer rejected, but there are already rumors that the club would be willing to go back for him.
According to the report, a move for Guimarães is currently seen as more likely than a move for Tonali, despite Newcastle’s opposition to a sale. The transfer fee Newcastle would need to force Guimarães out of his contract is likely to be large and probably doubtful considering the player turns 29 later this year. But at the same time, the Brazilian is a proven player in the Premier League and will be ready to make an immediate impact.
Tottenham are keen to sign Tonali, while Manchester City are also fans of the Italian and may be prepared to shell out the big money needed to meet Newcastle’s demands.
Arsenal are also said to be interested in other central midfielders, including Ayyoub Bouadi, who starred for Morocco at the World Cup.
The Scot had a great season at Bournemouth and is in demand this transfer window (Image: Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Fernandes is also a high-profile player for the Gunners, and the longer both Manchester United and Spurs avoid a deal, the more likely it is that other suitors will come to the negotiating table.
With Morgan Rodgers emerging as Arsenal’s priority attacking target, Aston Villa are reportedly insisting on paying a British record fee for the 23-year-old, and transfer funds will need to be allocated appropriately.
Whether that will have a direct impact on Arsenal’s central midfield plans remains to be seen. There is a lot of iron in the fire. Only time will tell where they plan to attack.
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