Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom ahead of the January transfer window, with the Gunners set to compete with six other clubs for his signature.
Mikel Arteta has been hit with injuries to midfielders Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny over the past month, leaving his options scarce in the middle of the park, and although the former is closing in on a return to first team action, the Arsenal boss remains intent on strengthening further.
Now the Gunners are said to be looking to capture Lindstrom when the transfer window reopens in the new year, with the player being labelled the ‘jewel’ of Eintracht Frankfurt following his performances in the Bundesliga.
Italian outlet Calciomercato have reported that Arsenal are one of seven big European clubs who are keeping tabs on the 22-year-old ahead of January, with Premier League rivals Manchester City also said to be interested in securing his services.
The Gunners will have to compete with Serie A trio AC Milan, Juventus and Roma, as well as Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who have all joined the queue in the hope of landing the Denmark international, who is valued at £17million by his current club.
And with a bidding war set to ensue between some of Europe’s biggest and wealthiest clubs, Frankfurt are expected to hold out for whatever they can in what has been described as an ‘international auction’ by the report, meaning Arsenal will have to propose an attractive offer to stand any chance.
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Lindstrom joined from Brondby for £6m in the summer of 2021, having recorded 15 goals and 15 assists in 65 games across all competitions for the club, including 10 goals and 11 assists in his final season as he helped them win the Danish Superliga.
In his first campaign for Frankfurt, the 22-year-old earned the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award following five goals and five assists in 29 league appearances, while he provided a further four assists in European competition as the Germans won the Europa League.
As of the current campaign, Lindstrom has already notched three goals in 10 appearances for Frankfurt and hit the headlines for his team once more after scoring the only goal of the game in Tuesday’s victory over Marseille - Frankfurt’s first ever win in the group stage of Champions League.
Lindstrom made his senior bow in 2020 and has five caps to his name. He would be an exciting addition to Arteta’s midfield, although he primarily plays in a more forward role, similar to Martin Odegaard and summer signing Fabio Vieira.
However, Lindstrom has also been utilised on either flank under boss Oliver Glasner this campaign, meaning he would provide an extra option in the front three should injuries come into play or rotation be required in what is a hectic schedule for the majority of the season.
His arrival could also sanction a loan exit for another summer recruit in Marquinhos, with Arteta looking to loan the Brazilian youngster out in order to find him more regular game time, although he will only do so if he can find a suitable replacement first.
