According to The Sunday Mirror (16/08, p71), a mystery English club are interested in signing David Silva.
Lazio have been leading the race for Silva’s signature, with his Manchester City contract coming to an end this summer.
However, Silva has yet to give them a definitive answer, and it’s thought that Real Betis and an unnamed english club are keen.
The 34-year-old was offered £9million-plus over three years to join Lazio, but he is hoping that former club Valencia make him an offer.
So, who could that mystery club be? It’s not out of the question to wonder whether it could be Arsenal.
Silva worked with compatriot and Mikel Arteta at City, and the Gunners boss shared his admiration for Silva in July.
Arteta told the Daily Mail that he thinks Silva has been ‘amazing’ for City, before adding that Silva is the best player he has ever seen in tight spaces.
Arsenal may be in the market for a playmaker this summer, as Mesut Ozil’s future looks unclear and Dani Ceballos is heading back to Real Madrid.
The Gunners have moved to add experienced ‘winners’ in recent times, from David Luiz last summer to Willian last week, and Silva certainly fits that bill having won four Premier League titles at City.
Wages could be the sticking point, but Lazio’s offer is just shy of £60,000-a-week, so Arsenal may be able to match or better that.
When you piece all that together, Arsenal seem like a strong contender to be that mystery club, though it may rest on whether Silva would be willing to play for another English club after such a strong association with City.
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