Arsenal’s January transfer situation is set to depend on Aston Villa’s potential recruitment of Rodrigo Bentacur from Juventus.
The midfielder is reportedly Villa’s main target for the rest of the winter window according to The Telegraph, as they intend to strengthen in the midfield position.
Arsenal are also looking to add a midfielder to their squad, and have been heavily linked to players who can fill the shortages Mikel Arteta’s side currently have.
One of these players has been Arthur Melo from Juventus, but if the Old Lady decides to offload Bentacur instead, then Edu would most likely not be able to wrap up a deal for the Brazilian.
Arsenal were stepping up their pursuit for Arthur, as according to Gazzetta dello Sport , the players’ agent Federico Pastorello has travelled to the English capital to outline his client's desire to join the Gunners.
However, a deal has been difficult to complete as Juventus needed to find a replacement for the Brazilian which they have so far failed to do.
According to Sky Sport in Italy, Juventus had lined up Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a potential replacement for Arthur, but a deal never managed to materialise.
With the Arthur deal being quoted as a loan move, it would make more sense for the Serie A side to sell Bentacur, whose move to Aston Villa would be on a permanent basis, so Juventus can gain funds from the sale.
But Arsenal shouldn’t be disheartened from losing out on Arthur due to the Bentacur sale, as this deal could open up a move for Douglas Luiz from Steven Gerrard’s side.
According to ESPN , the Gunners have been interested in signing the Brazilian midfielder, who is equipped with tons of Premier League experience, and certainly improves the Arsenal midfield, which is in need of more quality.
Arteta is familiar with the midfielder, as they worked together whilst they were both employed at Manchester City. Luiz struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s team but he has certainly matured as a player since joining Aston Villa.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are considered the club’s strongest midfield pivot, but both have been ruled out with injury and other reasons throughout this season, which has piled on the pressure on 21-year-old Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The youngster has been tasked with anchoring the midfield in Partey’s and Xhaka’s absence but has struggled to dominate when given that responsibility.
If Arsenal fail to get the ball rolling with Douglas Luiz, then they could turn their attention towards Yves Bissouma, who Aston Villa were reportedly chasing before opting for the cheaper alternative in Bentacur.
Like Douglas Luiz, Bissouma is equipped with the Premier League experience, and the quality brings would certainly improve Arsenal.
With less than a week remaining in the transfer window, the Gunners have an excellent chance of bringing in new recruits if Edu applies the necessary pressure.
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