Arsenal face competition from Everton and Leeds United for Austrian midfielder Florian Grillitsch, who will be available on a free transfer this summer.
According to Daily Telegraph, Florian Grillitsch is attracting plenty of interest from the Premier League, with clubs like Arsenal, Leeds United and Everton vying for his signature. The Hoffenheim midfielder is likely to move on a Bosman move in the summer, with his contract expiring in June.
Florian Grillitsch is one of the more high-profile prospective free agents clubs are angling over a Bosman deal the summer. The 26-year-old Hoffenheim star has not committed to new terms with the Bundesliga club, leaving him free to move away in the summer.
Signing a player on a free transfer is always attractive, particularly given the player in focus is a vastly experienced professional with rising demand. Bundesliga clubs playing in the Champions League are vying to sign Grillitsch, while there is also reported interest from Spain.
However, the attraction from the Premier League might trump the others as English clubs remain keen on signing Grillitsch in the summer. Arsenal have been showing interest in the 26-year-old defensive midfielder, as Mikel Arteta eyes a new player in the position.
The incoming player need not necessarily be a bonafide starter but a high-quality squad option. Earlier, many thought the Gunners will look to replace Granit Xhaka, but the Swiss midfielder’s recent insistence on remaining at Arsenal for the duration of his contract makes a player like Grillitsch a solid replacement for Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal are also keeping tabs on PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, among other players. The Argentine is a financially viable option although considering Grillitsch is available for free, the Austrian could be preferred.
Arsenal are also keen on signing Palmeiras’s Danilo, which indicates their desire to bring in a quality defensive midfield option in the next window. They might look to get the best possible deal which is financially viable, considering the Gunners are set to spend heavily on strikers.
But Arsenal face stiff competition for Grillitsch from Everton and Leeds United. The Toffees are also in need of a bargain transfer to solve a problem area and will make an approach for the 26-year-old Austrian midfielder if they are able to avoid relegation.
Leeds United are also in the market for a new defensive midfielder considering star man Kalvin Phillips is attracting interest from top clubs. Liverpool, West Ham United and the Manchester clubs are all keen on signing the English international, who has a tough decision to make during the summer window.
Grillitsch could be a great option and is more or less guaranteed to start most games at either Leeds United or Everton. However, Arsenal’s lure could be too big for the Austrian to ignore and depending on the Gunners’ intention to bring him in, it could be an intense summer for the Hoffenheim midfielder, who looks set to leave the Bundesliga club.