Arsenal brought in a powerful midfielder back in October as they snapped up Thomas Partey, but they are now being linked with another one this month.
The Gunners would surely prioritise another playmaker over a more defensive-minded option, but reports in France suggest a long-term target is wanted again.
Foot Mercato reported last week that Arsenal are interested in signing Steven N’Zonzi, but face competition from Everton.
Previously a Premier League ace with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, N’Zonzi then won the Europa League with Sevilla and even the World Cup with France.
Now 32, N’Zonzi is owned by Roma but has been with Rennes for the last year, with Arsenal seemingly impressed with his displays out on loan.
The Athletic reported in 2019 that Unai Emery had told the club to sign N’Zonzi having worked with him at Sevilla, but Lucas Torreira was signed instead.
N’Zonzi is allegedly on Arsenal’s radar again, but one of his entourage have now stepped forward with a quote to Ouest France about the Gunners’ interest.
They suggested that Arsenal have wanted N’Zonzi for ‘several years’, and it wasn’t just Emery who wanted him – Arsene Wenger was also keen, with Mikel Arteta potentially being the man to finally make a deal happen.
“Arsenal have been following him for several years, even since the days of Arsene Wenger, just like Everton but it never happened,” said one of N’Zonzi’s representatives.
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