Arsenal seem to have taken the advice of club legend Patrick Vieira seriously – and are now chasing French midfield star Manu Koné.
Gunners in search of reinforcement
Arsenal are looking for a new central midfielder, and the main target has long been Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian has already agreed personal terms and wants to join Mikel Arteta’s side.
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But there’s a catch: Newcastle won’t sell. After Sandro Tonali left St. James’ Park for Tottenham for £100m, the Magpies are not interested in releasing another midfield profile. Therefore, Arsenal’s sporting management is now working on alternative solutions – and one name stands out.
Several big clubs in battle for Koné
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have all held talks with intermediaries about a transfer for Koné. The 25-year-old Frenchman’s agents are now mapping out possible destinations, and everything indicates that he is on his way away from Rome.
The Italian club see Koné as their most valuable asset and are demanding around £50 million to release him. Roma need the sale to comply with UEFA’s financial rules – and Koné’s performances at the World Cup have only increased interest.
Vieira: “He’s France’s best midfielder”
There is hardly a better referee than Patrick Vieira. Arsenal’s legendary midfielder has followed Koné closely during the World Cup and is in no doubt:
“For me, he is the best midfielder in France right now. I would put him ahead of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot, because he has incredible mobility. He moves all over the pitch,” Vieira told ITV.
“He’s aggressive, he wins balls, and he has the technical ability to contribute to the build-up. He can break lines and play forward.
Plan B at Arsenal
With Arteta still pushing for Guimarães, Arsenal could secure a solid plan B if the Newcastle captain becomes too expensive or unavailable. It seems unlikely that two new midfielders will arrive at the Emirates this summer, but with Christian Nørgaard reportedly set to leave Brentford, there could be changes nonetheless.
Koné’s future has been the subject of speculation since the transfer window opened, and with Vieira’s strong words behind him – and brilliant World Cup performances – the Premier League is a very likely destination.
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