Arsenal are in the market for midfield reinforcements this summer.
But who Edu and Mikel Arteta bring to the club is anyone’s guess at the moment.
Anderlecht winger Albert Sambi Lokonga looks set to join, as does full-back Nuno Tavares. But in terms of the midfield, things remain up in the air.
Matteo Guendouzi has left – a season-long loan deal to Marseille and Granit Xhaka’s move to Roma looks to be a case of when rather than if.
It may be the case that Arsenal need Xhaka to depart before they can tie up a deal for a replacement, but there have been plenty of names in the frame for a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Here football.london takes a look at where the Gunners stand with five midfielders who have been heavily linked with a transfer to north London.
Manuel Locatelli
Following some impressive performances at this summer’s Euros reports have emerged suggesting that Arsenal are interested in signing Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli.
While the Gunners do hold an interest in the player, it seems the feeling is not quite mutual as the Italian has his heart set on joining Juventus this summer.
Sassuolo appear to be trying to use the reported interest from Arsenal to force Juve into paying a higher fee for the 23-year-old, and the likelihood of him coming to the Emirates this summer seems slim.
Ruben Neves
Talk that Wolves’ Ruben Neves is a player the Gunners could be looking at to possibly replace the outward-bound Granit Xhaka emerged at the beginning of this transfer window.
The two have a relatively similar skillset although the Portuguese international is four years younger, leading many to believe that he could be a long term solution in Mikel Arteta’s midfield.
(Image: Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
This led reports to emerge that Arsenal were preparing a £35million bid for the 24-year-old who does want to leave Mollineux this summer.
However, the Gunners’ interest has cooled significantly in recent weeks as they look towards other targets such as Albert Sambi Lokonga of Anderlecht.
Yves Bissouma
One signing that most Arsenal fans would love to see this summer is that of Yves Bissouma from Brighton.
The Mali international ended last season with more tackles and interceptions than any other player in the Premier League, and is viewed by many as the perfect partner for Thomas Partey.
The 24-year-old, who shares an agent with Nicolas Pepe and is in regular contact with Gabriel who he played with at Lille, is very interested in the idea of a move this summer, and would choose the Gunners over Liverpool who are also reportedly interested.
Arsenal do have him on their shortlist as well although no formal approach has been made to sign the Seagulls midfielder as of yet.
Houssem Aouar
Arsenal came very close to signing Houssem Aouar last summer and could be back in for him against this time around.
The Gunners want to sign a creative midfielder to help take the burden of Emile Smith Rowe and are interested in potentially moving to sign him this time around now that Lyon’s asking price has reduced significantly.
They have already failed in attempts to sign Emi Buendia and Martin Odegaard, while a deal for James Maddison is probably too expensive, meaning Aouar could be the man they turn to.
At time of writing though it is understood that no formal approach has been made for the 23-year-old.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
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Sander Berge
One of the few players in the Sheffield United team to have been relegated from the Premier League this season with much credit was Sander Berge.
The Norwegian is good on the ball and strong in the tackle and could be a good replacement for Granit Xhaka.
He is open to the idea of a move to the Emirates this summer but the Blades’ reported £35million asking price is likely to put Arsenal off.
If that is reduced the Gunners could be interested, but it is thought they are also pursuing other targets this transfer window.