Arsenal have been linked with a move for Fiorentina midfielder Jordan Veretout, it has been reported.
The French midfielder has impressed during his time at Fiorentina and could be on the verge of a big money move in the summer.
According to CalcioMercato, Arsenal are among the clubs interested in the services of former Aston Villa flop.
Jordan Veretout: Good replacement for Aaron Ramsey?
Arsenal might be in for a busy summer ahead with Aaron Ramsey already agreeing a pre-contract deal with Juventus while the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil have flattered to deceive more often than not.
Ozil, in particular, has been on the end of harsh criticism due to his lack of consistency this season, with Unai Emery reportedly willing to offload the German in the summer. But, at the time time, this could leave a gaping hole in Arsenal’s creative department and that’s where Veretout could fit in.
The Frenchman, despite plying his trade a central midfielder during his time at Fiorentina, has been hugely successful in providing the creative spark in the attack for the Serie A outfit this season.
In fact, the 26-year-old has been involved in 21 goals during his two seasons at the club. He has also made 70 appearances in all competitions with Fiorentina, meaning he has been a vital component for the Violas in these two years.
Although Veretout’s single season in the Premier League with Aston Villa wasn’t a productive one as the Villans were ultimately relegated at the end of the campaign, his performance has improved a lot since, as reflected in his stats with Fiorentina. And the former Nantes starlet can certainly be a clever replacement for Ramsey.
Much like the Welshman, Veretout likes to link up with his teammates in the final third with quick passes while his excellent positioning allows him to find pockets of space in the final third, which, in turn, helps him create more opportunities for his team.
Veretout has averaged 2.3 key passes per game so far, which is more than any Arsenal player this season. In addition, he has also attained a respectable pass completion rate of 80%, which is slightly less than Ramsey’s 82% so far this campaign.
Most importantly, the Fiorentina star is a much cheaper option when compared to other targets. And this could benefit an Arsenal side, who will have budget restraints in the coming summer, thus making Veretout an ideal option for the Gunners.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored