Arsenal weighing up potential deal for former Man City target

It’s been a quiet few weeks over at the Emirates Stadium in terms of players being linked to the club. And that’s a credit to Arsenal’s campaign so far, with Arsene Wenger’s men suffering just one defeat in their last 17 fixtures in all competitions – that coming way back on the opening day of the season.

But it looks as though the French boss isn’t resting on his laurels given the reported interest in Roma midfielder Leandro Parades. And it’s not the first time we’ve heard his name this year.

Back in the summer, both Liverpool and Manchester City were reportedly keen on the 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Empoli.

While Wenger seemingly has an endless list of midfield options at his disposal, Parades would certainly add something different, as he’s primarily a deep-lying playmaker.

Jack Wilshere could be set to make his move to Bournemouth permanent next year, while Santi Cazorla isn’t getting any younger. And although Granit Xhaka has impressed since arriving at the Emirates, Wenger has already expressed his intentions to turn the Switzerland international into a box-to-box midfielder.

That means Parades would have an important role to play for the Gunners, were he to sign in January. It’s something Mohamed Elneny did in the last winter transfer window, and it worked to great effect.

And given Arsenal’s luck with injuries over the last few years, fans should welcome another player into the set-up, if not just for precautionary purposes.

The Argentine has played in 10 of Roma’s 12 league games this season, while featuring in all four of I Giallorossi’s Europa League matches.

Right now he’s tied down at Stadio Olimpico until 2019, with transfermarkt.co.uk valuing him at £8.5m.

But it’s thought the north London outfit would have to break the bank to secure his services, given his importance to Luciano Spalletti’s plans to build a squad capable of challenging Juventus for the Serie A title.

In the meantime, Arsenal will have to make do with what they currently have, and the likes of Xhaka, Elneny, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey can show their boss that he doesn’t need to add another name to his ranks this Saturday, when the Gunners travel to Old Trafford.

It’s 9/5 for them to leave beat United away from home for the first time in the league in 10 years, while 6/4 says Jose Mourinho’s fine form over Wenger continues.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing