Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - December 21, 2019, New Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu inside the stadium.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has teased the possible Arsenal signing of a new midfielder towards the end of the January transfer window.
The Lowdown: Gunners eye midfielder move…
Reports have suggested that the Gunners, amid their chase for a first Premier League title in nearly 20 years, are setting their sights on a new midfielder before January 31.
The north Londoners have been linked with Brighton star Moises Caicedo, who is also a target for Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as West Ham star Declan Rice – though a deal for the latter man could only be possible this summer.
Mikel Arteta only really has Ghana international Thomas Partey in the anchor midfield role, highlighting the need for reinforcements.
If Partey were to be sidelined, Arteta could face a real headache, with Bailey now making a teasing transfer claim on the club’s ambition to reinforce the midfield area.
The Latest: Bailey teases last-ditch Arsenal signing…
Speaking to TEAMtalk, the reporter has urged supporters to ‘keep an eye’ and claims the possible signing of a midfielder is one to watch ‘in the coming days’.
Bailey explained:
“In the coming days Arsenal do want that midfielder.
“It will be interesting to see if they can get something over the line by the close of the window. And that is something they do want to do. I would stress: keep an eye on the Gunners!”
The Verdict: Launch Caicedo move…
We believe Caicedo would be the ideal Partey alternative, especially going by his numbers and plaudits in the English top flight over 2022/2023.
According to WhoScored, the Ecuador international, who also featured for his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has averaged Brighton’s highest rate of tackles per 90 domestically and even surpasses Partey in this regard.
Still just 21-years-old, Caicedo would also come to the Emirates Stadium as a signing of both real quality and real longevity with the player barely even hitting the prime years of his career yet.
The obstacle, as ever in football, is the player’s price tag – thought to be around £75 million.
There is an argument that Arsenal would be best placed to wait until the summer to make a midfield move given they’d have more time and options.
However, given the sheer importance of beating Man City to the league title, it is a signing which should arguably be made now – even if it represents a huge investment financially.
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