Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan - 7M sport

Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan



Posted Friday, May 15, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal have been tipped to move for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who Everton also want to bring to the Premier League.

Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan
Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan (Image: GETTY)

Arsenal could launch a summer pursuit for Juventus' Adrien Rabiot having already previously made contact with his agent and mother Veronique Rabiot in January when they wanted to sign the player on loan.

That's according to reports from Calciomercato, who say that Mikel Arteta even spoke to the France international personally back in January.

It is claimed that Rabiot's agent and mother is seeking a departure for the midfielder, although he only joined Juve from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The 24-year-old is said to be hopeful of a move to the Premier League and Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is an admirer of the player having coached him in Ligue 1.

Rabiot has made 24 appearances for Juve this term, all in central midfield, and was a regular before the Serie A season was paused due to the coronavirus crisis.

Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan
Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan (Image: GETTY)

But it appears that his time in Turin might be up already and Arsenal remain keen after seeking to sign him earlier this year.

Rabiot's huge salary - which is thought to earn him over £220,000 a week - would surely be an obstacle to any deal, however.

Calciomercato suggest that a swap deal could be in the offing for one of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette, although Juve are hardly light on attacking firepower.

The Frenchman has also been tentatively linked to Manchester United, with a £26.5million (€30m) price tag having been mooted.

That fee, plus his wages, would almost certainly rule Arsenal out of the running this coming summer.

Indeed, it appears Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid is Mikel Arteta's main target as he looks to strengthen his defence and midfield.

The Spanish coach will only have limited funds to work with but is keen on the Ghana international, who he could sign for £43m thanks to a release clause.

Partey's Ghana team-mate Karim Nuhu believes the pull of a move to north London might lie in the lure of playing in the Premier League.

"Atletico Madrid is a very good club so he [Partey] is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and Arsenal is also one of the biggest,” Nuhu told Instagram Live session with TV3 Ghana.

"For me, it is his decision because playing in Atletico Madrid is the same as playing in Arsenal.

"The two teams always make the same category in the league fighting for the third and fourth place to play in the Champions League but as we all know the Premier League is the best league in the world so if he joins Arsenal, I will be happy for him."

Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan
Arsenal set to rival Everton for transfer target Mikel Arteta spoke to about January loan (Image: GETTY)

Arsenal have been linked with a deal that would see them swap Alexandre Lacazette in part exchange for defensive midfielder Partey.

But ESPN FC's European football expert Julien Laurens insists the Frenchman heading to the Spanish capital is unlikely.

"We know they [Atletico] want a striker, they're looking for a striker. Although Edinson Cavani is their top priority," Laurens said.

"The other way around, Thomas Partey is definitely on Arsenal's radar.

"Right now, they can't pay his release clause, which is €50million.

"Would they offer Lacazette? I don't think so. Especially when you know Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only has one year left on his contract, and they might have to sell him now.

"They certainly couldn't afford to lose both of them in the same summer.

"It's quite similar to Juventus wanting Paul Pogba, they [Arsenal] might have to look at other options for players to swap."



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.