One former Eredivisie ace ‘would not be surprised’ to see Premier League giants Arsenal snap up Ismael Saibari this summer while valuing the Morocco international at a minimum of £50 million.
It is testament to the remarkable strength in depth at Peter Bosz’s disposal that PSV’s stylish, twinkle-toed playmaker has found himself in-and-out of the starting XI this season. Ismael Saibari would waltz into almost every other Eredivisie side – and we include Ajax and Feyenoord in that – with Rangers supporters in particular all too aware of his match-winning potential.
Saibari scored twice in a mesmerising performance as PSV hammered Rangers 5-1 in the Champions League qualifiers, the Spain-born Moroccan often saving his most dazzling displays for the most high-profile of occasions.
And Ali Boussaboun, who himself represented the Atlas Lions at international level, can envisage a future at Arsenal for a midfielder who possesses the vision, the guile, and the easy swagger of many a great Gunners playmaker.
PSV Eindhoven star tipped for Arsenal move
“Ismael Saibari is great,” Boussaboun, who played for Feyenoord, Utrecht and Groningen in the Netherlands among others, tells NU.
“He has beautiful technique, is so strong, and really a team player. And he is so humble that you almost want to hug him.”
Boussaboun believes that PSV would be wrong to accept any offer less than £50 million, with an impressive African Cup of Nations likely to alert a wider audience to Saibari’s talents.
“If Saibari does well there (at AFCON), his market value will increase by 10 or 20 million euros,” the 44-year-old adds. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal pick him up after the season.
“If PSV sells him for less than 60 million euros, they will have failed.”
Gunners need a striker
At the present moment, Arsenal’s focus appears to be on a centre-forward, though links with Ivan Toney and Dusan Vlahovic have been played down of late. HITC Football also understands that the Gunners have not opened talks with Bournemouth over Dominic Solanke.
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