There is such excitement for the summer transfer window but there continues to be an element of jeopardy to it. For Arsenal, qualifying for the Champions League will open doors previously locked away from the Gunners.
The uncertainty that surrounding the club’s future makes business difficult. Arsenal cannot yet guarantee the elite competition to their targets in pre-summer discussions.
However, Barcelona, who are in their own race for the top four in La Liga, continue to push ahead strongly for their own summer targets. It is expected that they will complete yet more free transfers for a host of players whose contracts are expiring soon.
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AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie has reportedly chosen Barcelona despite interest from a number of clubs including from the Premier League. The Ivorian has developed into one of the most highly regarded central midfielders in Italy.
With Sergio Busquets reaching the end of his career, Kessie will be able to provide the important replacement quality Xavi Hernandez was after. The Spanish coach is reported to have called Kessie as has his compatriot and former Barca midfielder Yaya Toure according to Fabrizio Romano.
These conversations were enough to convince Kessie of the Barca project despite uncertainties over the club’s Champions League participation. Arsenal should be looking at these techniques in their own attempts to lure top talent to the club.
The Gunners have their own midfield needs but the more pressing position for the summer continues to be in the striker role. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already left whilst Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah’s contracts expire at the end of the season.
With the elite European competition in the balance, manager Mikel Arteta could emulate the Barcelona transfer trick and call upon a former teammate to convince a possible target.
Arteta played with Tomas Rosicky whilst with Arsenal and the Czech Republic legend is a former international teammate of Arsenal striker target Patrik Schick.
The Bayern Leverkusen striker has scored 20 Bundesliga goals in as many league matches. Schick is said to be on the list of forwards being monitored by Arsenal according to 90min. Leverkusen sit third in the Bundesliga in a tightly contested fight with RB Leipzig, Freiburg and Hoffenheim all just one point behind.
Rosicky, now working at Sparta Prague, retired from international football in 2016, the same year as Schick made his debut and the pair featured in a 6-0 win over Malta when the striker made his debut and scored.
Speaking ahead of Euro 2020, the tournament which elevated Schick within the footballing community thanks to his wondergoal against Scotland and subsequent performances, Rosicky lauded the striker. His goals helped progress the Czech Republic from their group and knock out the Netherlands.
Rosicky said that Schick is a “very fine player who is very skilled technically.” He believed that the tournament was a chance to show what he was capable of, and he certainly achieved that.
Perhaps now Arsenal can tap into their connection with Rosicky to convince the forward that north London is the right place to make his name in his prime years? Arteta need only make the call and hope for the best.
