Why This Portuguese Star is NOT the DM Arsenal Require! by AT
Well, it is no secret that Arsenal are in desperate need of a defensive midfielder. Let’s face it, Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are both past their prime and are simply not good enough. In regards to the issue, the Daily Mirror is reporting that the Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger is contemplating a £25million move for the AS Monaco enforcer Joao Moutinho when the transfer window opens in January.
The Portuguesse international has reportedly handed in a transfer request at the Ligue 1 side after being frustrated by the departures of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez, which has resulted in the club not being able to compete with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain in the new campaign. It is understood that Moutinho does not see a bright future for the club and has therefore decided to jump ship.
While the reports about Moutinho handing in a transfer request are likely to be legitimate, I really do not see any credibility in the rumors of Arsenal’s interest in him. At just 5 ft. 6 inches tall, he is not really the physical presence in midfield that the Gunners squad desperately needs. Looking at his style of play, he does not offer anything very different from what we are getting from Flamini and Arteta. Finally, at 28 years of age, the player is unlikely to have a good re-sale value and Wenger will not be willing to splash £25million on his services.
Quite honestly, I don’t see Arsenal going in for a defensive midfielder this January. With Flamini’s contract set to expire in the summer, Wenger will most likely let him go and then go in for a new enforcer to shield the defence. In my opinion, the best we Arsenal fans can hope for in the January transfer window is the arrival of a new centre-back, but we can be hopeful of a quality defensive midfielder coming in in the summer.