According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal has identified Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as their top summer transfer target to partner new arrival Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta, the Gunners’ manager, wants the 23-year-old French international to play in the No.6 position, pushing former Hammer Rice farther forward into the departed Granit Xhaka’s No.8 position.
With Thomas Partey unlikely to be signing a new contract, and Jorginho now approaching 32, Arsenal are looking to bring in someone who is more mobile, considerably younger, and has experience playing in big games.
Sources close to Arsenal have also told us that having Tchouameni playing in front of fellow Frenchman and international teammate William Saliba is another reason why Arteta wants to bring the midfielder across from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to the Emirates at the end of the season.
Did Arsenal try and get Tchouameni last window?
We have also been told that there was contact between Arsenal and Madrid in the summer, when the Premier League club were given an answer of ‘not for sale.’ We understand though no deal managed to take place then, Arteta wants to go back in for Tchouameni at the end of the 2023/24 season.
After talking to sources in Spain, we understand that this will be a difficult deal to get done but not impossible – the Spanish giants are planning on spending big in the summer and, therefore, will also need to sell to keep in line with FFP regulations.
Arsenal still have an interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who is being eyed by Manchester United too.
Arsenal will face Sheffield United this weekend in the Premier League, while they currently sit third in the table.