Arsenal have been linked with giving AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners his dream move to North London – and there has been an interesting development.
The Gunners did bring in Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht this summer, but Edu has been looking at other midfielders too.
With Granit Xhaka long expected to leave for Roma, Arsenal had a whole list of midfielders they were keen on signing.
Xhaka now looks set to stay, but one of the players interesting Edu was boyhood Arsenal fan Koopmeiners after a superb season last term.
AZ captain Koopmeiners hit 17 goals and seven assists last season, and seemingly put himself on Edu’s radar with some superb displays in midfield.
De Telegraaf reported in July that Arsenal were interested in signing Koopmeiners, though that may have hinged on the future of Xhaka.
On Saturday, AZ kicked off their Eredivisie season against RKC Waalwijk with a 1-0 defeat, and Koopmeiners was intriguingly left on the bench.
Club captain and star player, left on the bench? After losing losing Calvin Stengs and Myron Boadu over the summer? That seemed strange.
Boss Pascal Jansen has indicated that he left Koopmeiners out because he only wanted players who are focused on AZ, believing that the midfielder’s head may be elsewhere.
AZ are seemingly preparing to lose Koopmeiners before the transfer deadline – and if Arsenal want him, the door may be open.
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