Arsenal are running out of time to bring in a midfielder before the January transfer window slams shut on Tuesday night.
The Gunners saw a £60 million bid for Brighton star Moises Caicedo rejected on Friday morning, football.london understands and reports on Sunday claimed that an offer in the region of £70 million was again rebuffed by the Seagulls. Considering Caicedo has played just 26 Premier League matches for the Seagulls, it could make sense for Mikel Arteta's side to move on to alternative targets rather than going in with a third offer of £80 million, which Brighton may not even accept.
Below, football.london takes a look at three players technical director Edu should consider if the Brazilian transfer chief is unable to prise Caicedo away from the Amex Stadium this month.
READ MORE: Arsenal handed Moises Caicedo £75m transfer boost by Brighton with £5.2m confirmation
Amadou Haidara
Arsenal currently find themselves top of the Premier League, five points clear of second-placed Manchester City despite playing one less league match than the Citizens this term. However, they are a serious injury to Thomas Partey away from having major troubles in midfield.
Mohamed Elneny is currently sidelined with a knee injury and Albert Sambi Lokonga has shown that he is too raw and doesn't possess the required intensity to operate as a no.6 in Arteta's 4-3-3 setup. One player that would be a solid option is RB Leipzig star Amadou Haidara.
Leipzig typically operate with a midfield pivot, experimenting with 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1 systems this term, similar to Brighton, who are said to be keen on Haidara as a long-term replacement for Caicedo. However, unlike the Ecuadorian, Haidara hasn't featured consistently this season, with 11 of his 16 league appearances coming off the bench.
Still, the Mali international has the required skill set to flourish at the Emirates Stadium as a number eight, as well as in a deeper role if the aforementioned Partey was to get injured. Haidara possesses a rare blend of intelligent reading of the game, impressive physicality and an ability to consistently break lines with his vertical passing.
In fact, he has averaged 4.92 progressive passes, 2.49 tackles and 1.48 interceptions per 90 minutes this season as per fbref. Comparatively, Caicedo has scored 3.85, 2.7 and 1.43 in these respective categories, albeit with more minutes played and in a harder league.
Haidara has already established himself as one of the Bundesliga's most well-rounded midfielders and at 24 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop his game.
Martin Zubimendi
Arsenal have been heavily linked with Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi in recent weeks but the Spaniard possesses a completely different skillset from Caicedo. Zubimendi also reads the game well, registering 1.46 interceptions per game, although his tackling and passing numbers are considerably different to the Ecuadorian.
The 23-year-old averaged just 1.78 tackles per 90 whilst also making 3.79 progressive passes per 90, both of which are on the low side compared to other targets. Despite his passing numbers, Zubimendi is more than capable with the ball at his feet, compared to Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets by some La Liga fans and unlike some others on this list, he regularly plays as a lone no.6 behind two more attacking no.8s.
However, he may struggle with the physicality of the Premier League and Arsenal certainly require their holding midfielder to be dominant in their duels considering how advanced Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka can be. There is no doubt that Zubimendi would flourish in the build-up phase when Arsenal build in a 2-3-5 or 3-2-5 shape, although quick transitions could be a problem for the Spanish international considering his physical attributes.
Palhinha
One wildcard alternative for Caicedo could be Fulham star Palhinha, who has flourished since arriving at Craven Cottage during last summer's transfer window. Unlike Zubimendi, Palhinha would have no problem with the physicality required to play as a holding midfielder for Arteta's side.
In fact, the Portuguese maestro has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season with a whopping 94, which is 23 more than second-placed Tyler Adams. The 27-year-old consistently breaks up the play in the heart of Fulham's midfield, using his large frame to dispossess opposition players more regularly than anyone else.
However, what Palhinha possesses in defensive acumen, he lacks on-the-ball ability. He is a more old-schooled defensive midfield, perfect in a pivot when tasked with breaking up play but he struggles to progress play, somewhat similar to former Arsenal man Francis Coquelin.
Palhinha's passing numbers some of the least inspiring in the English top-flight, averaging just 2.12 progressive passes per game, attempting just over 35 per 90 minutes in total. Comparatively, that is almost 20 less than Caicedo manages in a match, although Brighton and Fulham's systems are of course very different which will impact this.
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