Arsenal may have considered a potential transfer deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to Gunners reporter Charles Watts.
Specially speaking CaughtOffside In his latest Daily Briefing column, Watts discussed De Jong as a possible replacement for Martin Zubimendi as Arsenal's target in midfield, describing the Netherlands international as someone who would perfectly suit Mikel Arteta's style of play.
However, Watts also added that he is not sure if anything is really happening with Arsenal and De Jong, and he also made it clear that the 27-year-old's wages would be difficult for the north London giants to afford, and he also said that the player himself. he would not be eager to leave the Nou Camp.
De Jong transfer: Barca midfielder would suit Arsenal, says Watts
“Arsenal's past interest in Martin Zubimendi has been slightly tempered by the fact that it is known that the midfielder is in no rush to leave Real Sociedad,” said Watts.
“He is happy there and feels at home, as his manager, Imanol Alguacil, recently said. That doesn't mean he won't leave if someone opens his buyout clause this summer, but clubs looking at him are well aware that he might take something more satisfying.
“So Arsenal have other targets when it comes to a midfielder. There has been interest in Bruno Guimaraes, another player with a release clause, and several other names have been linked. One of those is Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, who I think would be a good fit for this Arsenal team.
“You really can't find anyone better suited to come in and help take this team to the next level. Mikel Arteta can play him further down the pitch, just behind Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, but you could see him hanging around with Rice sometimes, sometimes in a more advanced role, with Rice coming in behind him. It sounds like it will work out perfectly and that De Jong will be the perfect long-term replacement for Thomas Partey.
“But while I'm sure Arsenal would consider De Jong when looking for new midfielders, his salary would make any move very difficult to get over the line. We know that he has a lot of money in Spain and he has shown in the past that he is in no rush to leave that contract he has with Barcelona.
“It's not a potential transfer that I've heard anything about yet and I would suggest that it's something that won't go past the speculation stage, although I personally would like to see it happen.”
Arsenal may have to look at alternatives to De Jong and Zubimendi in that situation, and it will be interesting to see what names they come up with in the coming weeks and months.
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