Arsenal still want Youri Tielemans this summer despite pushing ahead with a move for Manchester City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Gunners have added one midfielder this summer with Fabio Vieira arriving from Porto.
The gifted playmaker looks to be an exciting signing and some expected that to be the end of Arsenal’s midfield recruitment.
Yet Arsenal have now gone in for Zinchenko too, who can play either as a left back or as a midfielder.
ZInchenko should join this week and whilst he offers great versatility, Arsenal could still look to add yet another midfielder.
Arsenal still want Youri Tielemans
The Mirror claim that Arsenal will continue their pursuit of Tielemans even if Zinchenko comes on board.
It’s stated that Tielemans will become Arsenal’s main target once Zinchenko is signed, as the Gunners have focused on other targets so far.
Reports from Fabrizio Romano earlier this month suggested that Tielemans thoroughly expects to be an Arsenal player by the end of the transfer window.
That was before Arsenal accelerated their move for Zinchenko though, and a deal now would be a real surprise.
If both Zinchenko and Tielemans sign, they would be joining Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Martin Odegaard and Vieira in Arsenal’s midfield ranks.
That’s a lot of bodies for just one area of the pitch, and Odegaard and Vieira can battle as chief playmaker, six bodies for two deeper roles seems excessive.
Tielemans is out of contract in 2023 and Arsenal may well feel that the potential deal is just too good to pass up for the Belgian.
We find it a little hard to believe that Arsenal will go and splash the cash on Zinchenko – upwards of £30million – and then go and spend a similar price on Tielemans having already paid a similar price for Vieira.
Mikel Arteta and Edu were both midfielders in their playing days and may believe it’s the key area for Arsenal to strengthen, but going for Tielemans now would seem strange.
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