The last time Arsenal hired a well-respected scout from a Bundesliga giant, things didn’t exactly go to plan.
Sven Mislitat, nicknamed ‘Diamond Eye’ due to his almost unrivalled ability to spot gems glinting in the rough, departed in rather acrimonious circumstances after just 14 months at the Premier League giants.
His transfer record in North London, meanwhile, is ‘mixed’ to say the least.
The jury remains out on Florian Bluchel, then. Even if his arrival from perennial champions Bayern Munich has been greeted with plenty of excitement,
According to Football London, 37-year-old Bluchel will become Arsenal’s International First Team Scout for Germany.
The implication, there, is that the Gunners are planning to delve further into the Bundesliga market in the coming months.
And Bluchel’s eye for a bargain – he helped bring in Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Alexander Nubel, Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies for a combined fee of around £25 million – could lead Arsenal back onto the trail for a player who’s name will be very familiar to many in North London.
Could Arsenal finally sign Denis Zakaria?
Arsenal have been linked with Denis Zakaria since the Unai Emery era.
And, with his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach expiring next summer, an all-action, box-to-box midfielder who would have cost around £40 million not long ago can be snapped up for just £6 million next month (BILD).
Arsenal have held talks with Zakaria’s representatives (FT).
So too have Premier League rivals Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Reds are flying high once again. But there remains a nagging feeling that they never really replaced Gini Wijnaldum.
Zakaria, versatile, powerful and highly influential on and off the ball, could do just that.
Interestingly, the Switzerland international was also linked with Bayern Munich during Bluchel’s time at the Allianz Arena.
Will his appointment give Arsenal the impetus they need to finally secure a deal in the pipeline for the best part of four years?
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