Though Arsene Wenger has not yet made public of his decision about his future at Arsenal, it has not stopped him or the board to start identifying targets for the next season. It is being widely speculated that a major summer overhaul is expected for next season with as many as nine players expected to be offloaded from the current squad. To add more steel in their midfield, Arsenal have decided to pursue their interest in Everton’s Idrissa Gueye.
Gueye joined the Toffees last summer from Aston Villa in a deal worth £9 million. His brilliant performances in midfield for a below par Villa team saw him grab the attention of Everton’s director of football, Steve Walsh. He once labelled him as “the next Kanté” with Walsh being the person who brought Kanté to the Premier League. Gueye has been sensational for Everton this season and is ahead of N’Golo Kanté in terms of tackles made in the current season.
The Senegalese has settled in well at Goodison Park and is considered as one of the best defensive midfielders in the English first division. His brilliant form has not gone unnoticed with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Red Bull Leipzig, Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen also interested in him. Arsene Wenger has taken a special liking for Gueye and wants the Gunners to sign him soon, irrespective of the manager’s own future hanging in the balance.
Arsenal have struggled this season with Wenger also admitting that his side have shown defensive frailties at times. The likes of Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey have failed to provide consistent performances which could force the club to sign a midfielder in the summer. The Frenchman has identified the solution to this problem which is signing a player in the mould of N’Golo Kanté. Idrissa Gueye fits the bill perfectly.
The Gunners have lacked a player who can break attacks consistently in the middle of the park. While Coquelin has shown he can do that, Gueye is someone who is far more consistent.
Gueye has a contract with Everton till 2020 which means it will take a huge fee from Arsenal to prize him away from his present club. With the Toffees now having a rich owner in Farhad Moshiri, it is now possible for Everton to keep hold of their star players. But if Arsenal come calling, it would be tough for the 27-year old to say no to the Gunners for staying put at Everton.
