Arsenal are preparing a "super offer" for midfield transfer target Ismael Bennacer in the January transfer window, according to recent reports. The Gunners continue to be linked with a switch for the AC Milan stalwart - who was at Arsenal as a youngster - and could look to include a key first-team player in the deal.
It comes ahead of a potentially busy winter transfer market for the North London outfit, who sit top of the Premier League at the mid-season break for the World Cup. Squad depth remains an issue for Mikel Arteta though, with few options beyond the first-team players at his disposal.
This was a point he made clear after the side were knocked out of the EFL Cup to Brighton, claiming: "That’s the squad that we have and we have to try to utilise the squad in the best possible way. We know where we are and we knew the moment we had certain injuries that the squad is already very, very short."
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The midfield is one of those areas that is of concern, with injuries earlier in the season causing issues and forcing Arteta to look into the transfer market in the summer. An attempt to sign Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa was made on deadline day, but it failed as he stayed and signed a new deal with the Midlands club.
It means attention may turn elsewhere, with links to the likes of Youri Tielemans, Danilo, Ruben Neves and Ismael Bennacer. The AC Milan midfielder is the latest to have another transfer update as his contract dwindles, meaning a return to Arsenal could be on the cards.
According to CalcioMercatoWeb, that interest is intensifying as the Gunners prepare a "super offer" of £17million in cash as well as Thomas Partey. The Rossoneri are said to be holding out for a straight cash deal, though given the importance of the Ghanaian midfielder it may be a boost in an improbable deal.
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