Arsenal are seriously considering a bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus in the summer, according to reports.
According to WhoScored, the Gunners have singled out Marco Reus as a replacement for Alexis Sanchez should he depart in the summer. Sanchez has only 18 months left on his contract and despite being locked in lengthy negotiations over a new contract with the Gunners, there has been no positive updates.
Exclusive: Arsenal readying €60m Reus bid should Alexis exit Emirates – via @WhoScored – https://t.co/fKLMClipvf
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) January 26, 2017
The report states that the Gunners are worried that Sanchez will push for a move in the summer as a result of this and that they are already lining up replacements, with Reus top of the list. They claim that Arsenal will now approach Borussia Dortmund to open talks and that the Gunners are willing to pay upto €60 million for the German international.
During the summer transfer window, and Arsenal “In The Know” or “ITK” Twitter handle claimed that Arsenal were pursuing a “madness” in the summer. Although he did not reveal who it was at first, it was later revealed that the target was in fact Marco Reus.
Reus has only managed 5 appearances for Dortmund in the league this season after suffering a string of small injuries. He only made a return to the side in mid-November, having missed 6 months of football due to an abdominal injury.
He has only netted once in those 5 appearances but has picked up 3 assists. Reus is also making an average of 1.46 key passes per 90 minutes and is creating 2.33 chances per 90 minutes, according to Squawka. The German has excellent technique and is supremely talented, but his injury history with Dortmund will be a big concern to Arsenal.
Reus has only managed 30 or more appearances in the league twice in his time with Dortmund and given Arsenal’s constant issues with key players getting injured this is not something Arsenal fans will be particularly pleased about.
Alexis Sanchez’s form also means that the Gunners would not be getting an upgrade and it would definitely be much better if Reus was signed as an addition rather than a replacement. Compared to Reus, Sanchez is making an average of 2.5 key passes and creating 2.84 chances per game in the league, according to Squawka.
A combination of Reus, Ozil and Sanchez would be up there with any of the best attacks in Europe and signing players of Reus’ calibre might just be enough to convince both Sanchez and Ozil to extend their contracts.
The German playmaker will only have 2 years left on his contract come the summer so he is definitely a player that Arsenal will be able to afford regardless of if Alexis Sanchez leaves. Given Cazorla’s injury problems, Arsenal could use another creative player and Reus would be exactly that.