‘We have this bond that Connects Us together’: Mikel Arteta now personally wants to bring in another Man city player in January to join the Likes of Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko
Amidst injury concerns surrounding Thomas Partey, Arsenal is actively seeking reinforcements in the form of a defensive midfielder during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Gunners, harboring ambitions of clinching the Premier League title and making a substantial impact in the UEFA Champions League, have reportedly set their sights on Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, a move personally endorsed by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
According to reports from TEAMtalk, Arteta’s interest in Phillips is grounded in the desire to fortify the midfield, especially considering Partey’s injury woes.
Despite the clear interest from Arteta, the report suggests that no concrete progress has been made regarding a potential deal at this early stage.
The £42 million-rated (as per Sky Sports) midfielder has captured Arteta’s attention as a viable solution to Arsenal’s defensive midfield needs.
Interestingly, the report dismisses the likelihood of pursuing alternatives such as Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa or Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad in January, deeming them too costly for the Gunners.
However, the article raises a significant question about the feasibility of Manchester City parting ways with Phillips, especially to a direct rival like Arsenal.
While Guardiola has expressed a willingness to let players move to direct rivals in the past, the circumstances surrounding Phillips make this scenario less likely.
The piece argues that City, considering Arsenal’s status as serious contenders for the Premier League title, should exercise caution in strengthening a potential title rival.
The author opines that City’s inclination to sell Phillips, who hasn’t made a significant impact at the Etihad Stadium, would likely be directed towards clubs like Juventus rather than bolstering a domestic competitor.
In summary, while Arsenal eyes Kalvin Phillips as a crucial addition to their midfield, the author casts doubt on the likelihood of Manchester City facilitating such a transfer, proposing that the English midfielder may find his way to a club like Juventus rather than directly strengthening a Premier League competitor.
The intricacies of this potential transfer saga add an element of speculation and intrigue as the January transfer window approaches.