The agent of Vitoria de Guimaraes ace Ibrahima Bamba has rubbished reports that he is in London to negotiate a January move to Premier League leaders Arsenal, speaking to O Jogo.
Earlier this week, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta admitted that he may be forced into the market for a new central midfielder, the stricken Mohamed Elneny facing what The Guardian refers to as a ‘lengthy lay-off’.
With the Egyptian stuck on the treatment table for the time being, Arsenal now have just three deep-lying midfielders at their disposal. Four, if you count the versatile Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“We need some more cover in midfield ideally,” Arteta explains. “In this market, it’s pretty complicated to do that.”
Declan Rice, Arsenal’s number one summer target, is going nowhere with West Ham in a relegation battle. Amadou Onana, unlike some at Goodison Park, will stay put in an attempt to save Everton’s skin.
So, as Arteta himself said, it’s not easy finding a top-quality midfielder during the winter window.
Arsenal like Vitoria de Guimaraes ace Ibrahima Bamba
And while the sight of Ibrahima Bamba’s agent arriving in the English capital may have raised hopes that one of the brightest young talents in Portugal could be on his way to the Emirates, Felipe Macedo Alves insists that this is a classic case of putting two and two together and coming up with five.
“It is true that I was in London,” Alves begins. “But I am just arriving from Germany, where I was watching (Edmond) Tapsoba’s game (for Bayer Leverkusen). Bamba is not the only player I work with.
“(Bamba) is a player who is clearly of interest to many clubs. But, today, he is a Vitoria player. And is only focusing on Monday’s game against Chaves. The market is open, but I’m not going to feed rumours.”
According to The Mirror, Arsenal are mightily impressed with the 20-year-old’s excellent breakthrough campaign in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Bamba has an affordable £26 million release clause in his contract. His average of 2.6 successful tackles per game is superior to that of both Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey (WhoScored).
Arsenal may make a move in the summer. Especially with Albert Sambi Lokonga’s future uncertain. But a January switch seems unlikely.
“It gives me great pleasure to see 20-year-olds putting in a fantastic display against a very strong opponent,” Vitoria coach Moreno told O Jogo; Bamba and co helping stop runaway league leaders Benfica side in their tracks.
“Ibrahima Bamba did very well. He is one of our players for whom I foresee a great future. We are happy with this response in these games, against these opponents.”
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