The Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has been hugely impressive this term, highlighted by his inclusion in SkySports Team of the Season So Far, picked at the mid-way point in the season. His performances in the two previous seasons with the Saints has also proved that he is ready to play at a higher level.
The Secret Footballer claimed that Arsenal had already agreed a deal to bring him to the Emirates previously, although that appears more and more unlikely as the season draws to a close.
Now the bets trading site Betfair have been forced to slash their odds on him joining Tottenham this summer from a massive 10/1 into 6/4 favourite to join up with former boss Mauricio Pochettino, after having a ‘enormous flurry of bets’ on the outcome.
Spurs were, of course, close to signing the Frenchman last summer, before Southampton closed the gates on any further key-players exits, after Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert all moved clubs.
Schneiderlin has made it no secret that he wants to be playing in the Champions League next season, and that is not an option for our North-London rivals. In fact they have not yet claimed their place in the Europa League yet with two games to go. The only conceivable way I can see Arsenal missing out on his signature is if we have pulled out of the race.
Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla have been two of our better players this season, and we also have Jack Wilshere who operates in a similar role. Schneiderlin may have conceded that he would struggle to break into our first-team, and is now willing to join Spurs fight to try and break into the top-four, which is all the more tough given Liverpool’s return to the top-six.
Could Schneiderlin earn himself a first-team role at the Emirates? Should we keep looking for a younger/better option as back-up to our current squad?