Arsenal could miss out on Cheick Doucoure after Premier League rivals Aston Villa opened talks with the £13 million-rated Lens midfielder, as reported by Goal.
It was music to the ears of everyone in the red half of North London.
Thomas Partey will be out for just three weeks, his most recent injury not quite as serious as many had feared.
But after picking up yet another problem – the former Atletico Madrid enforcer missed nearly 20 matches during his debut season at the Emirates Stadium – some serious questions are now starting to be asked about Partey’s durability.
Sambi Lokonga, the new signing from Anderlecht, has impressed with his probing passes and tactical intelligence in pre-season. But according to reports coming out of France, Arsenal are now looking to bring in another deep-lying midfielder following Partey’s latest injury blow.
Doucoure, a 21-year-old Mali international, is right at the top of their radar. The Gunners will have to move quickly, however, as top-flight rivals Aston Villa step up their interest.
Aston Villa over Arsenal for Cheick Doucoure?
Goal claims that Villa, an ambitious, deep-pocketed side whose already enviable cash reserves have been boosted by the sale of Jack Grealish to Manchester City, have been in talks with Doucoure and his representatives for ‘several weeks’.
The Midland giants have apparently been discussing their plans with the youngster too, laying bare their ambitions and what sort of role Doucoure could expect to have at Villa Park.
A £13 million price-tag is unlikely to put Villa off either, despite the fact that the club have already spent nearly £100 million on Leon Bailey, Danny Ings and new number ten Emi Buendia.
Doucoure, who scored four times from a nominally defensive role last season, averages 2.6 tackles per game in Ligue 1 – substantially more than Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka (WhoScored).
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