Arsenal are continuing to search for a new midfielder in this January transfer window after an injury to Mohamed Elneny put the club in a difficult situation. It is in fact a near carbon copy of five months ago when the Egyptian was injured against Fulham and it forced the Gunners into a scramble that proved unsuccessful to try and sign Douglas Luiz.
However, the club are now on the lookout again and reports suggest that Arsenal may move for a long-term target. The Mirror claimed back in November that the Gunners were keeping tabs on Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Ibrahima Bamba.
After his agent was spotted in London, reports from Portuguese outlet Jornal de Notícias via Sport Witness have said that Arsenal have moved ‘on the front line’ to try and sign the Italian. The player has a €30million (£26.4million) reported release clause although it is unclear if the Gunners would pay the full amount should they approach the club regarding a signature.
READ MORE: Arsenal face Douglas Luiz transfer risk repeat as Weston McKennie bid sees Edu facing questions
A defensive midfielder by trade, Bamba has been moved into the defence since September. Manager Moreno had been using a 4-3-3 system similar to Arsenal with one deep midfielder which was Bamba.
However, beginning with a 1-0 defeat to Sporting Braga, Moreno has changed to a back three with Bamba operating as a central sweeper. His role may have become deeper, but he has still been able to step out in this position and operate somewhere between the two positions.
It was his performance against Portuguese giants Benfica which drew attention. Having not dropped any points all season, Benfica drew 0-0 with Vitoria and Bamba came out with the man of the match award.
He made eight interceptions, 14 recoveries, and five clearances and finished the game with 88% pass accuracy of which eight of his nine forward passes reached their target, pausing to pass backwards only once. The game highlighted Bamba’s strengths as a great ball-playing deep midfielder with the potential to grow further and perhaps operate where Thomas Partey is today.
Bamba has maintained this position but has deputised on the right of the back three on a couple of occasions too and helped Vitoria pick up four points there against Arouca and Pacos de Ferreira. Arsenal are running out of time to secure players but the release clause allows for an aggressive approach should the situation need it.
The Gunners failed on deadline day in the summer with three bids for Douglas Luiz. With Bamba and his release clause, Edu need not worry about having to hope for the club’s bid to be accepted, just convincing the player would be the task for Mikel Arteta and co.
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