Arsenal hero Paul Merson has told his old club to try and sign Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have already brought in four players this window, signing Brazilian duo Marquinhos and Gabriel Jesus as well as American shot-stopper Matt Turner and Portuguese playmaker Fabio Vieira. Another midfielder that has been heavily linked with a move in recent times is Leicester City's Youri Tielemans.
football.london reported earlier this year that the Belgium international's agent had a meeting with technical director Edu at the club's London Colney training ground, with The north London club certainly interested in the player. football.london also understands that the Gunners have been holding off on finalising a deal but reports of other teams being interested in acquiring his services could potentially change their stance.
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Now, Arsenal legend Merson has told his former club that Tielemans would be a good signing before claiming that Lazio maestro Milinkovic-Savic would be the best option for Mikel Arteta's side. “Youri Tielemans would fit nicely at Arsenal if James Ward-Prowse takes the soft option and stays at Southampton,” he wrote for the DailyStar.
“I start to worry when that happens when a player plays it safe like that. What are you going to do, realistically, at Southampton? West Ham wanted Ward-Prowse and that would have been a good move for him too because they will finish above Saints.
“But I said before that Arsenal should have gone in for him. The thing is, if he’s staying at Southampton, maybe he doesn’t have the ambition? Leicester’s Tielemans would tick the box for Arsenal. He’d be a decent alternative. But Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is the player I would go for.
“If Arsenal get either of those two, they have had a major window. Now more than ever, Arsenal need a top-class midfielder to compete with the best. And I think Savic is a lovely player. A really top-drawer player. The way he played for Lazio last season, I personally think he is the best midfield player in Italy.
“I know Manchester United have been linked with him in the past, but why there isn’t a queue of clubs lining up to buy the Serbian, I do not know. I think a lot of clubs are missing a trick. The thing with Tielemans is that he plays in the Premier League. He already has the know-how. He’s proven. And Arsenal don’t have time for bedding players in.”
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