Arsenal should challenge Tottenham Hotspur for the Real Madrid ace.
Unai Emery has a lot of work to do at Arsenal this summer, if he is to guide his side back into contention for the Champions League places next season.
One area where the Spaniard undoubtedly needs to improve is his midfield options, with the addition of an established deep-lying midfielder a prerequisite, if the Gunners are to indeed challenge for major honours.
With this in mind, Arsenal should challenge their north London rivals Tottenham for the signature of Mateo Kovacic, who could be available for just £25.4 million this summer, according to Spanish media outlet Fichajes.net.
The 24-year-old joined Madrid from Inter Milan in the summer of 2015, for a fee believed to be worth in the region of £25.4 million, but he has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Santiago Bernabeu.
That doesn’t mean to say that he is not of the very highest quality, however.
Competition for places in the Spanish capital is fierce to say the least, and a move to the Premier League could be just what Kovacic needs to reinvigorate his career.
The Croatia international is exactly what the Gunners need – a ball-playing central midfielder who is not afraid to mix things up physically, what with his tenacious playing style.
He would be the perfect foil for Aaron Ramsey at the Emirates, and the pair could strike up a formidable partnership in the heart of Unai Emery’s midfield.
Arsenal could steal a march on Tottenham by offering the Madrid man the guarantee of regular first-team action, and if they do win the race for his signature, it could be the deal that catapults them into immediate contention for the Champions League spots next term.
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