Arsenal are eyeing a move for Hoffenheim's Florian Grillitsch, who is available on a free transfer this summer, according to reports.
The midfielder's deal with the Bundesliga outfit expires in a matter of months and he is currently able to negotiate with foreign clubs about a pre-contract agreement. That would allow Arsenal to steal a march on some of the German clubs who are also keen on the Austrian.
Grillitsch has made over 30 appearances in each of his past three seasons with Hoffenheim and continues to be a regular. The Gunners are looking to bolster their options in midfield and the 26-year-old still has his best years ahead of him. Mohamed Elneny’s deal expires this summer meaning they will be on the look out for new faces.
The Hoffenheim man also represents little risk, given his availability on a free with the Telegraph reporting Grillitsch is on their summer shortlist. Mikel Arteta has largely relied on Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey at the base of midfield, but the latter will now miss the remainder of the campaign through injury.
The Gunners have had the benefit of no Europe this term. They are set to be involved next season however, provided they finish in the top six. Arsenal have lost their last three which has hampered their Champions League push, but still have a good chance of making the top four.
More competitions will put further strain on Arteta's squad as he continues to bolster his options. Several players left in January and more could leave when their contracts expire in the summer which could add to Arsenal's need to sign more new faces in the market.
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"I am expecting so, yes," he said when quizzed on if he's expecting a busy summer. "I think both competitions [the Champions League and Europa League] require a much larger squad because the amount of games you play is much bigger in both, so I don’t think [which you qualify for] makes a lot of difference or changes a lot.
"If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers. You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time."
Last summer the north Londoners prioritised youth as they attempted to lower the average age of the squad. Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale were both signed whilst Martin Odegaard moved to the Emirates on a permanent basis.
