Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing 21-year-old Serbian midfielder Ivan Ilic from Serie A club Hellas Verona.
According to a report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking to improve his midfield options with the signing of Ivan Ilic. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder is rated highly around Europe, and Arteta knows all about the player having worked with him during his time at Manchester City.
The 21-year-old left the Premier League club without making his debut for them. But he has made a name for himself in Serie A. The youngster was a part of Serbia’s World Cup squad as well, and it will be interesting to see if Arsenal can snap him up in the upcoming windows.
The report claims that Arsenal could make a move in January. But a transfer is more likely to happen at the end of the season. It is no secret that the Gunners will need to add more quality and depth to their midfield, and the youngster could be a solid, long-term investment.
Arteta has not been able to rotate his preferred midfielders Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka this season because of the lack of depth in the squad. The arrival of the 21-year-old will give Arteta more options to work with, and the Arsenal manager will be able to rotate the squad more frequently and keep the players fresh for the big games.
Ilic has the potential to develop into a quality player, and Arteta could be the ideal manager to nurture him and help him fulfil his potential. The youngster left Manchester City without making an impression, and he could be keen on making his mark in the Premier League in future.
A move to Arsenal could be an attractive option for the 21-year-old, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops. However, Ilic needs to play regularly in order to continue his development. And it will be interesting to see if the Gunners are willing to provide him with first-team assurances.
Sitting on the bench at a top club could affect his development negatively, and Ilic will have to decide on his next move carefully. But the Serb is not the only midfielder based in Serie A to emerge on Arsenal’s radar, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic also a top target.
