Edu identifies £50m Arsenal transfer to give Mikel Arteta dream Granit Xhaka replacement
Arsenal is preparing for the departure of Granit Xhaka, as he is nearing a move to Bayer Leverkusen. This news has divided the club's supporters, as Xhaka played a crucial role in their pursuit of the Premier League title in the 2022/23 season. With the need for midfield depth, the Gunners must now focus on finding a suitable replacement for Xhaka, while also pursuing a deal to sign Declan Rice from West Ham.
One potential replacement being considered is Moises Caicedo from Brighton. However, it appears unlikely that Caicedo will remain at Brighton for the upcoming season, with Chelsea also expressing interest in his services. In addition to Caicedo, Arsenal has identified Mason Mount, Martin Zubimendi, and Ilkay Gundogan as potential midfield targets. However, Barcelona has shown interest in Zubimendi, while Manchester United seems to be the frontrunner for Mount's signature.
In their search for a replacement, Arsenal aims to find a midfielder who can contribute goals, as Xhaka scored nine times from midfield in the previous season. One player who fits this profile and has caught the attention of Arsenal's sporting director, Edu, is Orkun Kokcu from Feyenoord. Kokcu, who is just 22 years old, has scored 12 goals this season and captained Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title, highlighting his leadership qualities. This makes him an attractive prospect to fill the void left by Xhaka's departure.
Arsenal has previously expressed mild interest in Kokcu, and his performances in the Netherlands have also attracted attention from Benfica and Liverpool. While his market value was around £17.3 million two years ago, it is now expected to be closer to £50 million. Although this fee is significant, it is still lower than the valuations of Mount and Caicedo, who are valued at £70 million and £80 million, respectively.
In other transfer news, Arsenal has been presented with an opportunity to sign a potential replacement for Kieran Tierney. After a key decision by Bayern, the Gunners have been handed the chance to pursue a £68 million transfer for this position. The specifics of the player in question are not mentioned in the given statement.
Overall, Arsenal faces the challenge of replacing Granit Xhaka while strengthening their midfield options this summer. The club's ambition to continue improving is evident, but questions arise regarding the decision to allow Xhaka to leave without securing a replacement in advance. The pursuit of midfield targets such as Moises Caicedo, Mason Mount, Martin Zubimendi, Ilkay Gundogan, and Orkun Kokcu demonstrates Arsenal's determination to address this issue and build a competitive squad for the upcoming season.
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