%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Arsenal: 3 La Liga targets who aren’t Thomas Partey
By Marc Gibbons
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey. But here are three other La Liga targets who should be considered.
La Liga has been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal over the years. Players such as Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Cesc Fabregas all arrived from Spain and enjoyed fruitful careers in north London. Some of the most talented players in world football play in La Liga and there are several names starting to break through who could be potential targets for the Gunners this season. One of those is Thomas Partey. This is a transfer saga that could drag on all summer with reported interest from the player, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, for the right price.
However, other players in La Liga are likely to be available this summer. So, here are three options that Arsenal should consider beyond Partey.
3. Pau Torres
Pau Torres is the latest defender to be linked with a big move to the Premier League, so much so that he has caught the attention of Pep Guardiola. Arsenal too have been linked with a move, with The Sun reporting earlier this season that the club wanted him in January but found his price tag difficult. Moreover, with Santi Cazorla as a teammate, he has the perfect whisperer in his ear.
Centre-back is a key area where the Gunners must improve this summer with some of the current crop likely to be moved on or not good enough to start. In Torres, Arsenal would acquire a defender known for his composure and intelligent positioning. One of his main attributes when shutting down attacks is remaining patient, rather than just diving into challenges. His main strength, however, is his composure when in possession. He is comfortable carrying the ball out from the back into midfield to start attacks and has an impressive range of passing.
At 23 years old, he isn’t vastly experienced, but he is the ideal age to invest in. A release clause of £43 million makes this an outlay the club should be making when you consider his potential and long-term value.