Arsenal will make a summer bid for Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, according to reports
According to the Sun, Arsenal have been regularly scouting the Senegalese international this season and have identified him as a potential summer target as they look to strengthen their midfield options.
Gueye joined Aston Villa from French side Lille in 2015 for a £9 million fee but after the club were relegated, Everton triggered a release clause in his contract and snapped up the 27-year old for a fee of just £7.5 million.
The defensive midfielder has been impressive this season at the heart of Everton’s midfield and has been registering an impressive average of 3.65 tackles, 2.46 interceptions and 1.04 successful take ons per 90 minutes in the English Premier League, according to Squawka.
This has led to comparisons with Chelsea’s brilliant midfielder N’Golo Kante from Everton’s Director of Football, Steve Walsh, who was responsible for bringing the Frenchman to the Premier League in the first place.
According to the Sun, Gueye’s stats at Aston Villa put him second only to Kante last season for tackles and interceptions. He was also statistically the best ball-winner in Europe in 2016 during his spells with Villa and Everton.
His form is such that Everton are reportedly looking to offer the Senegalese international an improved contract to tie him down at the club despite the player having only signed at the start of the season. But, the Sun claim that will not stop Arsenal from attempting to sign him this summer.
Arsenal are in desperate need of some quality replacements in their team after yet again failing to compete for major honours this season. One of those areas that need significant improvement is their midfield.
Francis Coquelin has been hugely underwhelming this season and despite the midfielder signing a new contract with Arsenal, the club have been on the lookout for defensive midfielders to improve on the Frenchman.
Monaco’s Fabinho has been linked with a move to several clubs including the Gunners and it is clear that Arsene Wenger has realised that his side needs more defensive minded midfielders in the first team.
Gueye would be a great addition given his consistent performances in England over the last two season but Arsenal will find it very hard to sign him.
Everton’s new owner – Farhad Moshiri – is looking to spend big money on the club and attempt to break into the Top 4 so it seems very unlikely that the Blues will be willing to sell to one of those clubs.
They will also be under no pressure whatsoever to sell given that Gueye has a contract until 2020 but should Arsenal pay over the odds – something they are unlikely to do – the transfer could have a chance of taking place.
