Foot Mercato claims that Arsenal is set to raid Lille again after signing Nicolas Pepe and almost certainly Gabriel from the French side in the last two summer transfer windows.
Gabriel’s deal is expected to be announced soon, but the Brazilian may be followed to the Emirates by his teammate, Boubakary Soumare, according to the report.
The Gunners are looking to strengthen every area of their team in this transfer window and having signed an attacker and a defender, they will look to bring in a midfielder.
Soumare is one of the most impressive members of the Lille team that has played some of the finest football in Europe recently.
The midfielder has been admired by Premier League teams for a long time and he reportedly rejected a move to Newcastle in the January transfer window.
Arsenal’s top midfield target is Thomas Partey, but signing the Ghanian is proving a tough one for the Gunners.
They have made plans to land another midfielder if they ultimately fail to convince Atletico Madrid to sell Partey to them and Soumare is one of their alternative targets.
The Gunners, however, face competition from Manchester United for the signature of the 21-year-old Frenchman, claims the same report.
Don’t get me wrong here I think TP is an outstanding player, defensive minded box to box, he does indeed tick all the boxes that we want. However, being 27 ( although this isn’t old ) and being valued around 36m with a buyout of 45m I think the club are wary about spending over value considering we will have little re-sale value from him ( assuming he were to sign a 5 year deal) being 32 at the end of that contract.
It is alot of money to outlay when you can get Soumaré ( 21 ) and Diawara ( 23 )for around the same money and have a better potential re-sale value should they be sold later on.
They both would be a major upgrade in that area.
I would love for us to sign Partey but i don’t want the club to be robbed by over paying for him.
Either way I’d be happy with any of the 3 players that have been linked.
I’m sure this transfer window will be one of the most anxious windows for many an Arsenal fan to see what actually happens come October.
Brilliant comment gunna..
Exactly what i think Val. Soumaré is a baller and will fit into the 433 systen and the 343 system to. He has a very steong engine in him. Very comfortableon the ball. I say so the same amount as Gabriel sign him in place of Partey.
Val, Thomas Partey has the ability and potential to transform the Arsenal midfield and as a result the team. If Arsenal get 5 great years from Partey, I don’t give a rat’s arse if his resale value is 0.
As for Admin Martin’s comment that his “signing is proving to be tough one”, it is extremely simple. All Arsenal have to do is meet Partey’s buy out clause of €50million. If the Club lacks the funds to meet the price of there highest priority, then mediocrity awaits.
Soumare is a good player, but would be a replacement for Ceballos, not Partey.
Think Soumare deal would be brilliant, quality player, who is a real deal driving player, at 21 yrs old great investment, Diawara would be good with him, but I think Arsenal might still be looking at Ibrahim Diallo still, this is the true dm Arsenal need, he is a very silmilar player to Kante, would not be stupid money to buy either, also like Soumare is only 21 yrs old, pairing these two young Frenchmen together would be amazing and probably do able, Soumare your box to box and Diallo your dm,link up with a good playmaker , and this would be a top midfield supported by Xhaka ,Emile Smith Rowe .