Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on Inter Milan and Uruguayan midfielder Matias Vecino.
The Gunners will have to fork out a fee in the region of around €20 million to €25 million for Vecino, as per Tuttosport (via Football Italia).
Mikel Arteta’s side, who are currently ninth in the Premier League table, are looking to add to their midfield options as it has been an area of deficiency.
However, getting hold the 28-year-old will not be an easy task by any means as the likes of Valencia, Sevilla, Everton, Lazio, and AC Milan are also reportedly keen on Vecino’s signature.
Matias Vecino to Arsenal – How will he fit in?
Quality players in midfield are key to dictating the tempo of the game, and the Gunners do not rank high when it comes to that.
Arteta, since taking over, has found it difficult to produce consistency from his players, and one of the main reasons is Arsenal’s lack of experience in the middle of the park.
Discussing the midfield options for the red and white outfit, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka are the only players with experience in the bag. However, while Ozil is way past his prime, Xhaka has been too inconsistent and has had issues with the fans, who ripped into him at one point in the season.
Keeping them aside, Arsenal boast of promising youngsters like Lucas Torreira, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Matteo Guendouzi, and Joe Willock; they can do well when paired with someone who can control the game and ease the pressure off their shoulders.
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Matias Vecino being a central midfielder could easily fit into that role of guiding the youngsters. He is currently 28, at the peak of his prowess, and can lead by example if a move to North London materialises.
Arteta also has a quality attack consisting of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and Nicolas Pepe. The trio need decent support in the form of Vecino from midfield to explore their full potential.
Vecino though plies his trade as a central midfielder at Inter, can also play the roles of an attacking and defensive midfielder depending on the situation, which gives us a hint of the Uruguayan’s versatility.
Arsenal can certainly pair him with Lucas Torreira in the defensive midfield in games where they will see less of the ball. He can also be deployed in a three-man set-up alongside Torreira or Guendouzi, and in a slightly attacking role in games where the Gunners will see more of the ball.
On the whole, Vecino would be a good addition to the Gunners for the fee mentioned, and ultimately strengthen their team.