Arsenal have been busy so far in the summer transfer window after recently announcing the signing of FC Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira. Despite already signing a midfielder the transfers in this position should not stop there.
Youri Tielemans seemed to be the ideal target to improve the middle of the park for Arsenal, but this is reportedly no longer the case. Mikel Arteta's side have 'cooled' their interest in Tielemans, according to Sky Sports. The report claims that it's become increasingly likely that the Belgium international now signs a one-year contract extension at the King Power Stadium, with his current deal set to expire in 12 months.
With an alternative to Tielemans needed to be signed, the Gunners have an excellent opportunity to complete a bargain deal for France midfielder Cheick Doucoure. Former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira is also an admirer.
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According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, Lens are demanding €20 million (£17.2 million) for the 22-year-old. Crystal Palace are currently the front runners to secure his signature, but Arsenal have also registered interest in the past.
According to The Mirror, The Gunners were keeping a close eye on Lens defensive midfielder Doucoure earlier in the season. He would be a useful signing because he can also play in the heart of the defence, despite naturally being a midfielder.
This news comes after constant reports linking the midfielder to Vieira’s Crystal Palace ahead of next season. The Crystal Palace manager's scouting talent for midfielders have proven to be excellent with him acquiring players such as Connor Gallagher in the past. And with him being one of the best midfielders in Premier League history, this should persuade Arsenal to push through with a deal for Doucoure.
Ever since Vieira left the Gunners in 2005 to join Juventus, the fans have been calling out for a direct replacement for the Frenchman, which has never managed to materialise. However, it seems that they may have hit the jackpot if they secure the signature of Doucoure.
football.london’s Crystal Palace reporter Mark Wyatt noted that Palace fans have been handed a fresh hint about Doucoure’s future, as the Mali international was left out of his national team’s latest squad for June’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with reports suggesting this was done to allow him time to make some headway on his club situation.
Arsenal needs to be proactive rather than reactive in this transfer window. Not having this mentality cost them in the January transfer window after losing out to Dusan Vlahovic and Bruno Guimaraes. Stealing Vieira’s ideal signing in Doucoure would certainly be a step in the right direction for the Gunners as Arsenal prepares for a busy summer transfer window ahead of next season.
For such a bargain price Doucoure would be a transfer worth pursuing. He enjoyed a strong 2021/22 campaign in Ligue 1. He helped Lens finish seventh in the table while recording five-goal contributions in 37 appearances. The midfielder made the third most tackles in Ligue 1 last season with 67 which was three more than Real Madrid’s summer £84m signing in Aurelien Tchouameni.
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