Arsenal’s assistant coach a big admirer of club’s transfer target
Mikel Arteta’s right-hand man Albert Stuivenberg is apparently a huge fan of Sheffield United’s Sander Berge.
The duo have previously worked at Belgian club Genk, thus Stuivenberg is clear of what the Norwegian can bring to the lackluster North London side.
The 23-year-old’s release clause is believed to have dropped to £35 million pounds, after Sheffield United got relegated last month from the Premier League.
When the midfielder was a teenager at Genk, Stuivenberg said, as reported by SkySports: “At 18 he is already very mature. He is intelligent, reads the game well, and takes the initiative. He has the potential to become a future leader.”
Given the player’s age and current market value, signing Berge would be an enticing prospect.
The midfielder is a good reader of the game and has the required athleticism to cover huge spaces at the middle of the park, something the club has craved this season.
Arsenal’s major concern this season at midfield has been the lack of athleticism and consistency.
After letting the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira go, Arsenal started the campaign with only three defensive midfielders in Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos and Mohamed Elneny.
The trio have, on a bigger scale, failed to make a significant impact this campaign. And even though Arsenal acquired Thomas Partey on deadline day from Atletico Madrid, he has been far too injury-prone and lackluster, like his midfield mates, but the Gunners would hope that their 50 million signing improves next season, with a good pre-season behind him.
They will also hope to complement his strengths with another central defensive midfielder. Xhaka, Ceballos and Elneny don’t look like the players who can help Arsenal get to the next level.
Thus, signing a partner for Partey would be one of the major priorities at the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Yves Bissouma, Berge, Nabil Fekir, Guido Rodriguez have all been linked to a move to London. It will be interesting to see who Arsenal will end up signing in this pandemic-hit transfer market.
Heavily overpriced at 35m. Given our limited resources Bissouma would be a better buy as he can play as a DM or a B to B and would be a very good partner for Partey in either role.
Cunning plan is to sign Berge and Odegaard in the summer, change our nickname to The Vikings sneak into top four and sign Haaland in summer 2022. Well played Edu.
Trudeau, but Norway is too far from Brazil for Edu and they don’t speak Portuguese.
Speaking of Genk, what do any of our fellow Gooners think of their 6’7″ Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu, 26 yrs young, fast, agile, can score with both feet, great jumper & header, who had scored 29 goals + 2 assists in 34 matches across all competitions for Genk. His tranfer fee is listed at €18 million. I think he would make a great plan B option like Giroud especially with our affinity for a dozens of crosses in the box. Check out youtube video highlights of his goals. Have great day or night everyone.
LCH, looks a good prospect.
*for dozens of crosses*
The fact that Xhaka, Ceballos and Elneny are considered as satisfactory DM’s at Arsenal, speaks volumes about where the Club is at.
Arsenal has not had a class DM since Gilberto Silva departed.