Arsenal could reportedly make a move for Hoffenheim midfielder Florian Grillitsch in the summer.
The Austrian international has been with the German club since 2017, having joined from Werder Bremen in January 2017.
As per Sport Bild, the Gunners are one of three Premier League sides interested in signing the 24-year-old, with Newcastle United and Southampton being the two other sides.
Grillitsch signed a new deal with the club last year, which now expires in 2022. The midfielder came through the ranks at Werder Bremen, before making the switch to Hoffenheim.
He is an Austrian international, having made 14 appearances since his debut in 2017.
Florian Grillitsch – A smashing move by Arteta?
Grillitsch is a lanky midfielder, standing in at 6’2″, and is physically strong with and without the ball. The Austrian has been in decent form for the German side this season, and is one of Hoffenheim’s key players.
The 24-year-old is primarily a defensive midfielder who contributes in defence and attack. Grillitsch is a confident passer in the deep-lying role, keeping the ball ticking with short passes, and playing the occasional long pass.
He is a player that does not give the ball away cheaply and moves it around quickly. He has averaged 55.7 passes per game in the league this season, with passing accuracy of 87.9%, while playing an average of 3.6 long balls.
Grillitsch is also a strong tackler from his defensive midfield role, providing a solid shield to his defence.
He averages 1.8 tackles per game in the league this season, while his ability to read the game well has resulted in an average of 1.5 interceptions per match. Grillitsch is a player who can offer protection to the back four, while also being a decent passer to build play. He could be a good addition to this Arsenal side, which needs a physical presence in midfield.
The Austrian would settle in well alongside someone like Granit Xhaka, and the two could offer the full-backs the freedom to bomb forward while they hold the fort in the middle of the park.
While he may not have the flair to run from midfield, or go from one box to the other, he is a player that will offer more stability and control in the midfield.
