Arsenal once again invested heavily in their squad during the summer as Mikel Arteta looked to keep the Gunners competing at the top of the Premier League.
The north London club added several high-profile names, including Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes and Ezri Konsa, while Illan Meslier also arrived to provide additional competition and cover between the posts.
With Arsenal looking to maintain their title challenge, Arteta appears determined not to stand still despite a relatively encouraging opening to the campaign.
The Gunners are now reportedly preparing to compete with another Premier League heavyweight for one of Europe’s most highly-rated young midfielders, with the January transfer window potentially presenting an opportunity to strengthen once again.
Arsenal to Battle Chelsea for Gjivai Zechiel
Arsenal and Chelsea are both understood to be monitoring Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai Zechiel ahead of the January transfer window, according to CaughtOffside.
The 22-year-old has emerged as an increasingly interesting prospect in the Netherlands, with both London clubs reportedly sending scouts to watch him in action. Zechiel has also represented the Netherlands at youth level and is continuing to establish himself as an important figure for Feyenoord.
His development has been particularly notable over recent months, with the midfielder becoming increasingly influential in the final third while retaining his ability to contribute across the pitch.
Feyenoord have already demonstrated that they will not allow Zechiel to leave for a modest fee. Lille reportedly tested their resolve during the summer with an offer worth €17m (£14.5m), but the Dutch club rejected the proposal.
With Zechiel tied to Feyenoord until 2029, the club are in a strong negotiating position and can demand considerably more if Arsenal or Chelsea decide to make a formal approach in January.
Zechiel Continues to Impress in the Netherlands
The youngster’s performances have given Feyenoord plenty of reason to hold out for a substantial fee. Zechiel was named Eredivisie Player of the Month for August after producing an impressive all-round contribution.
During that month, he was directly involved in the second-highest number of shots among players in the division. He also finished as the league’s leading scorer during the period and recorded the joint-highest number of shots on target.
Those numbers underline the additional attacking threat that has become a feature of his game. While Zechiel is primarily a central midfielder, his willingness to make forward runs and arrive inside the penalty area has added another dimension to his performances.
Former professional Lasse Schöne has noticed that evolution and believes Zechiel is becoming increasingly dangerous around the opposition box.
“He is getting into the opposition box more often and has become more decisive with goals and assists. If he keeps playing like this until the end of the season, it won’t be Lille coming in for him, but a number of bigger clubs,” he said, per the Eredivisie’s official website.
That prediction could already be starting to come true, with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly among the clubs keeping tabs on his progress.
Zechiel’s rapid improvement has also caught the attention of Pelle Clement, who has been impressed by how comfortably the youngster has handled each new challenge.
“He seems to adapt easily every time he steps up a level. He has a great feel for the game, football intelligence and plays with real enjoyment. He is developing incredibly quickly.”
That assessment will likely appeal to both Arsenal and Chelsea, particularly given the emphasis both clubs have placed on developing younger talent.
For Arsenal, a January move would provide Arteta with another option in midfield and potentially allow the club to continue building for the long term. Chelsea, meanwhile, could see Zechiel as another young player capable of fitting into their evolving squad.
However, Feyenoord’s decision to reject Lille’s €17m offer means neither Premier League club should expect an inexpensive deal. With the Dutch side holding a long-term contract and Zechiel’s stock continuing to rise, his asking price could increase further before January.
Arsenal and Chelsea therefore face a potentially expensive battle for a midfielder who is quickly attracting attention beyond the Netherlands. If Zechiel maintains his current trajectory, there could be significant competition for his signature when the transfer window reopens.
