Arsenal keen on Wolfsburg’s Germany U21 star
Published:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to bid for highly-rated Wolsfburg midfielder Maximilian Arnold this summer.
The Gunners boss is not short of midfield options, with Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere shining this term and backed up by the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla.
However, after missing out on fellow countryman Julian Draxler in January, Wenger is keen to bring the youngster in as one for the future.
As yet Arsenal are the only Premier League side to have registered an interest in Arnold but Wenger already has competition for the teenager’s signature in the shape of Italian giants Juventus.
The runaway Serie A leaders have also sent scouts to watch the attacking midfielder and will look to scupper Wenger’s planned summer bid.
Wolfsburg currently have the player tied to a contract until 2015 but an easily-met buy-out clause of just £8m could see the start of a bidding war once the transfer window re-opens in June.
However, north London would appear to be the more logical option for the youngster, with the Gunners boasting a wealth of German talent at present.
In addition to Ozil, the Emirates is also currently home to central defender Per Mertesacker, striker Lukas Podolski and midfielder Serge Gnabry – all of whom would help Arnold settle quickly in the capital.
While only 19, Arnold has bagged eight goals in just 19 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit and Wenger’s interest in the midfielder could provide his current players with the impetus needed to return to winning form following a lacklustre display in the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool.
Ozil came in for particular criticism during the mauling and with a young star potentially looking to fill his boots next season he will look to use tonight’s game against Manchester United – for which the hosts are 6/5 favourites – to prove his worth to Wenger.
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