Arsenal considers three midfielders as alternatives to West Ham star Declan Rice
Arsenal is considering three midfielders as potential alternatives to West Ham's Declan Rice as they seek to strengthen their midfield in the upcoming summer transfer window. While Arsenal has expressed a strong desire to sign the English international, it is anticipated that West Ham will demand a fee exceeding the Gunners' expected £90 million offer. West Ham believes that Manchester United may be willing to meet their asking price. In the event that Arsenal fails to secure Rice, they have identified three alternative options: Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, Ruben Neves from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
Arsenal had discussions regarding Zubimendi in January, but the player chose to remain at Sociedad due to the club's strong performance. Arsenal was willing to activate Zubimendi's £53 million release clause, but the player opted to stay. Barcelona, led by Xavi, also holds an interest in Zubimendi, with the former player describing him as an exceptional defensive midfielder. Wolverhampton Wanderers have set a £45 million price tag for Ruben Neves, who is seeking Champions League football. However, the club would prefer to sell him to a foreign club rather than a domestic rival.
In their previous attempts to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton in January, Arsenal's £70 million offer was rejected. Caicedo is highly regarded by the Gunners and viewed as a potential defensive midfielder addition. Apart from pursuing defensive-minded midfielders, Arsenal is also looking to provide creative support for their captain, Martin Odegaard. They have engaged in talks with representatives of Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City and Mason Mount from Chelsea. Gundogan, like Neves and Zubimendi, has attracted interest from Barcelona, but he is aware of Pep Guardiola's desire to extend his contract at Manchester City. Discussions regarding an extension are expected to take place this week.
The departure of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen will create room in Arsenal's midfield, and the club is also considering the potential sale of Albert Sambi Lokonga. Burnley has shown interest in Lokonga, with Vincent Kompany praising the midfielder and likening him to Yaya Toure. Additionally, Europa League finalists Sevilla are evaluating the possibility of making an offer for the 23-year-old midfielder.
As Arsenal prepares for the upcoming transfer window, their focus is not solely on replacing outgoing players but also on strengthening their midfield options. The club aims to find the right balance between defensive solidity and creative prowess to bolster their squad for the upcoming season. While the pursuit of Declan Rice remains a priority, Arsenal is exploring alternative options to ensure they reinforce their midfield with quality additions who can contribute to the team's success.
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