Nabil Fekir to drive the midfield engine for Arteta

Perennial Premier League top six side Arsenal has been struggling in the engine room of late. And in order to alleviate this problem, Mikel Arteta hasntified and switched their focus to Real Betis' offensive midfielder Nabil Fekir. Talks on the transfer fee are still in the negotiation stage as the La Liga side Real Betis has priced the midfielder out of Arsenal's target range at the early negotiation stage.

After a difficult season, the former Lyon captain was omitted from Didier Deschamps' 26-man France squad for EURO 2020. However, the Spanish club considers the 27-year-old to be one of their better players after assisting ten goals in La Liga last season. The belief is that Betis will not allow its playmaker to depart to Arsenal for a fee less than what the club's valuation is for the dynamic midfielder.

Fekir was on the verge of playing in the Premier League in 2018, but a move to Liverpool fell through at the last minute. We cannot speculate as to the reasons for this deal not being able to be struck, but now we know that a Premier League winners medal would be safely tucked into his trophy cabinet if the deal had been completed. However, if a deal is to be made this time, Arsenal must be willing to increase their first offer, which is said to be approximately £20 million.

The Gunners are in a big need of an attacking midfielder

Mikel Arteta's side is still looking for an offensive midfielder after missing out on Emi Buendia, who was linked with Arsenal before signing a £33 million deal with Aston Villa last week. This is an excellent signing for a Villa side that will now be able to combine the talents of Buendia with the mercurial Jack Grealish in the centre of their midfield. With Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos unlikely to return on loan to the London side and instead return to Real Madrid, Arsenal midfield options will be limited, and reinforcements will urgently be required.

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