Arsenal need to add to the midfield department in the transfer window. Despite a strong starting pivot in the middle of the park, there is a lack of quality in depth to boost Mikel Arteta’s options.
Youri Tielemans was thought to be the main target to bolster the Arsenal midfield. However, doubts have reportedly emerged about the signing of the Belgian.
If Edu does opt against signing Tielemans, then it is crucial that an alternative is signed. If Arsenal want to sign a player with better physical attributes than the Leicester midfielder, Seko Fofana would certainly be a good signing for the Gunners.
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Tielemans has been linked to the club since the end of the last campaign with CBS Sports reporting that the Gunners are currently the front runners to sign Tielemans. Arsenal reportedly already know that the Belgian will not sign a new deal and could be available for as little as £25 million.
Despite being aware of the price tag, Edu had been reluctant to pay the price as according to TalkSport, there were doubts about the physicality of the Belgian. Tielemans had been caught out defensively numerous times during the previous campaign.
The doubts over Tielemans certainly cannot be echoed when mentioning Fofana. According to French news outlet L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain have held talks regarding the potential signing of Fofana from Lens. Newcastle and Arsenal are also said to be interested in signing the midfielder.
Fofana showed in the previous campaign that he has the psychical qualities to compete in the Premier League. He had the sixth most progressive carries in Ligue 1 last campaign, he had the fourth most carries into the final third and ranked ninth for the most players dribbled past in France’s top division.
With an alternative to Tielemans likely to be signed if the Belgian does not join, the Gunners have an excellent opportunity to complete a bargain deal for Ivory Coast midfielder Fofana, who already has experience of playing for a Premier League club.
Fofana joined Manchester City in 2013 from Lorient where he would join City’s development squad. He left the Citizens in 2016 during Pep Guardiola’s first season as manager at the club after making the move to Udinese.
However, it is his spell at Lens where he has excelled and showed his quality. The Ivorian played in every league game last season as his side made a surprise push for Champions League qualification before narrowly missing out.
The 27-year-old contributed with 12 goals in 41 matches showing his ability to be utilised as a box-to-box midfielder, which would be useful for the Gunners going into the next season. Arteta lacked a goal source from midfield and Fofana could certainly fill that void.
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