Report: Rivals close to signing 27-y/o free agent recently offered to Arsenal

Follow us on Google Discover

Rennes are reportedly close to signing free agent midfielder Xeka just days after Arsenal were offered the chance to sign the former LOSC Lille star.

According to L’Equipe, the Ligue 1 side are closing in on the 27-year-old midfielder, who was released by Lille at the end of last season and has since struggled to find a new club to sign for, with Arsenal recently being offered the chance to sign Xeka as a short-term replacement for Mohamed Elneny, though Rennes now look like they’ve won the race.

A title-winner with Lille in 2021, Xeka could have been an ideal signing for Arsenal in the free-agent market to fill in the gap for Elneny, who is reportedly expected to be out on the injury table until 2023 after suffering a hamstring problem earlier in the season against Fulham.

Whilst Arsenal do now have Thomas Partey back, the Ghanian’s fitness makes the defensive midfield position a tightrope for the Gunners given that the 29-year-old could be back on the injury table at any given second, and Xeka could have been an ideal player to fill in for Elneny for the season.

Adaptable in the midfield with hundreds of appearances in the top-flight, the Portuguese maestro could have been perfect for what Arsenal need in an external solution for Elneny, however, Rennes now look to have pipped the Gunners to the signing of Xeka in what is another good move from the Ligue 1 side.

Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo were both signed by Rennes in the summer, and adding Xeka to the mix with a youthful midfield is a great addition for the ambitious Ligue 1 side, who could rival Arsenal this season in the UEFA Europa League if the pair are to meet in the next round.

Rennes signing Xeka is a big blow for Arsenal given their midfield woes

Arsenal attempted and failed to sign a central midfielder to replace Elneny in the market, and with Xeka, the Gunners had the perfect opportunity to bring in an able body to cover for the Egyptian international for the remainder of the season, and Rennes landing the Portuguese star is a big blow for Mikel Arteta.

After all, midfield depth is key for Arsenal to maintain their current form, and not signing anybody to replace Elneny and Partey could be another big mistake on the club’s part of things begin to unravel like they did last season with the striker position.