Arsenal have been planning ahead for the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta will consider bringing in new players in central midfield to bolster their current squad.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hugs Granit Xhaka
Mikel Arteta is interested in a player Granit Xhaka knows well
Arsenal are stepping up their efforts to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Djibril Sow during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are currently focused on the Premier League title race, with Mikel Arteta's side eight points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table. Behind the scenes, however, sporting director Edu and his team have been counting on the summer break, when they will have a chance to strengthen Arsenal's position.
Arteta wants to strengthen the squad in the central midfield position, where reinforcements for Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are often needed. Jorginho was signed from Chelsea in January and Mohamed Elneny signed a new contract in February, but Arsenal are still open to welcoming new players. Bild reported in December that Arsenal are among a number of Premier League teams keeping an eye on Sow, whose contract expires in June 2024. Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have also been noted interest and according to Sky Sports Germany , Sow has now made it clear in Frankfurt that he wants to leave this summer.
The 26-year-old has told his bosses he will not sign a new contract and so the German club are keen to cash in on this summer as he retains some value. Negotiations have taken place with English, French and Italian clubs, with Sow valued at around €15m (£13m).
Sow is a regular for Frankfurt, he has 7 goals and 13 assists in 151 appearances and has 36 caps for Switzerland. He's made 38 appearances this season for Frankfurt, who usually place him in a defensive central midfield position.
Djibril Sow by Eintracht Frankfurt
Djibril Sow wants to leave Eintracht Frankfurt this summer
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Arsenal could have an edge in the transfer market due to the presence of Sow international team-mate Xhaka at his side. The duo started together in all four of Switzerland's matches at the World Cup in Qatar last year - and Sow is a huge fan of the Arsenal player. “Above all, Xhaka is an example of character, of a leader,” he said last year. "He brings a presence on the pitch that I haven't seen so often before."
Xhaka joined Arsenal from Borussia Mönchengladbach in May 2016 for £30 million. Like Xhaka, Sow is playing for Gladbach and he has been open about his desire to follow in Xhaka's footsteps in the Premier League.
He told Sport1 in 2021:
"In my opinion, the Premier League is the most attractive league. The best players play there. I have always dreamed of playing in the Premier League.
"But as a boy I never thought I would play for Eintracht today. So I'm very pleased with what has developed in my career. The Bundesliga is not one of those leagues. futile leading.
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