Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to sign RB Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer, who is also a target for Premier League rivals Arsenal.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Todo Fichajes, Chelsea are the latest club to have shown an interest in securing the services of Marcel Sabitzer. The Austrian international is also a target for Arsenal, but will not be available for a transfer in the ongoing transfer window.
Sabitzer has taken his career to new heights since joining RB Leipzig from Rapid Wien in the summer of 2014. In fact, his stock has risen so much that the 26-year-old is not only regarded as one of the best players in the Bundesliga, but has also been promoted to the role of being Leipzig’s club captain.
During his time at Leipzig, he has gone on to feature 206 times for the club, with 46 goals and 38 assists to show for his efforts. Sabitzer’s exploits have inevitably piqued the interest of a number of top clubs across Europe, with Arsenal among those that have been hot in his pursuit. The Gunners, though, now face stiff competition from Chelsea as well.
Frank Lampard has a well stocked midfield unit at his disposal at Chelsea, although in Sabitzer, he would have a player who can provide the forward thrust that the current crop often fails to provide. Indeed, among the midfielders Lampard currently has available to him, only Kai Havertz has the creative nous to make any sort of impact from the middle of the park.
To that end, Sabitzer, who can even be an option out wide, could be a viable target for Chelsea. As for Arsenal, they have been vying for the 26-year-old’s signature for quite some time now and for a very good reason.
While Mikel Arteta has created a largely solid side on the defensive front, creatively, Arsenal are one of the worst teams in the Premier League. The north Londoners, in fact, sorely lack a player who can provide the forward thrust and carve out the openings in the final third, with Emile Smith Rowe the only player capable of doing so to some extent.
As a result, Arsenal have been reported to be in the market for a player who can provide an injection of energy that they so desperately need. Recent reports have even suggested that they are the favourites to secure the services of Sabitzer, although Chelsea’s entry into the picture could change things.
Having said that, Leipzig have no intention of parting ways with their captain this month and will only entertain offers in the summer transfer window, when they will seek a €35 million fee for him. So, for all intents and purposes, it looks like Arsenal and Chelsea could have to put off their chase to sign Sabitzer till after the season ends.