Arsenal can land Bayern Munich transfer on bargain fee

Arsenal tying down Granit Xhaka on a new long-term contract was the ultimate anti-climax to a deal that had been in the offing all summer, and as a result saw Mikel Arteta’s side linked with a host of exciting central midfielders.

While the new deal for Xhaka has upsides – like him being a very good footballer – it also came as a huge surprise and dulled a few appetites that were thirsting for a new flavour. Many didn’t want the same, boring taste for another few years.

No such life was injected into that area of the pitch and a Thomas Partey and Xhaka pivot looks set to be the pairing going forward until they’re both into their 30’s. There are much worse duos.

What that decision has meant, however, is that Arsenal are seemingly no longer in need of a body in that area: Albert Sambi Lokonga has arrived and as much as everyone loathes the idea, Mohamed Elneny looks to be seeing out his own deal.

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Arsenal can land Bayern Munich transfer on bargain fee as midfielder Corentin Tolisso is available for cut-price £8m summer move

Yet, with Matteo Guendouzi and Joe Willock gone, two who look for all the world to be joined by Lucas Torreira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Arteta is left with just four senior options to choose from heading into next season. One of those is Elneny, remember.

There is no European football to contend with but there are Thomas Partey’s legs to consider, which if they continue to come a cropper will be on the endangered species list. Lose the Ghanaian – Arsenal already have and will again alongside Elneny for AFCON 2020 – and that leaves Xhaka and the new boy Sambi. That’s it.

Preferably the FA Cup and Carabao Cup won’t be dead in the water by then, either.

Yes, there is Miguel Azeez but while he shall earn the occasional minutes here and there it’s important that all are reminded he is just 18 years of age.

Boasting four for the campaign is a risky ploy. It may also be, however, the only course of action as even more important to source are a backup goalkeeper – if Bernd Leno’s hamstring goes it’s goodbye top half finish – and a creative midfielder – if Emile Smith Rowe’s thighs act up it’s goodbye top half finish – among other needs.

So when a formerly £35m player who happens to be a World Cup winner becomes available for £8m, do you take it? As per BILD, Arsenal are indeed looking at Corentin Tolisso.

Are they right to?

Continued…

Corentin Tolisso Available On Bargain £8m Deal From Bayern Munich

What do a large number of Arsenal fans bemoan about Joe Willock’s departure to Newcastle? It’s that the club are selling a goalscoring midfielder. This despite Willock never being prolific in north London.

Well, they needn’t fear anymore since Tolisso is someone who does have an eye for goal. And his favourite English club is Arsenal! And he’ll only cost £8m!

Bayern need to move players on so then can bring in Marcel Sabitzer (who would go down a treat under Arteta but won’t settle for no Champions League football) and with the Frenchman having just one year left on his deal they’re willing to sell at a huge loss just to make up the space.

With nearly half (47.4%) of his shots hitting the target and boasting a npxG of 0.25 (99th percentile), he’s someone who is aware of this net-like thing in between three white sticks. Tolisso also switches the play brilliantly, can progress the ball with both passing and carrying, is a bit of a unit in the heart of midfield – and can even play wide.

So, what is the catch? Well, all of the above is very true. After all, Bayern paid £35m to sign him from Lyon. That’s fairly high praise. The issue is it’s rare to see any of that because he’s always injured.

The recently turned 27-year-old hasn’t entered the final year of his contract because nobody believes in his talent, it’s because he’s never been fit enough to encourage a club to actually hedge their bets on him.

All of which is a real shame. Didier Deschamps still rates him, having taken him to the European Championships over other options, and Arsenal are among many suitors who have tracked his progress hoping for the injury issues to subsidise.

The report from Germany also lists West Ham, Manchester United and Juventus among those keen, so despite his setback woes he hasn’t lost admirers.

It’s a move that, if injury problems didn’t exist, would have most of Europe jumping on. That price wouldn’t be anywhere near as low. Of course, this is no fairytale land and even if he’s extremely cheap you can’t ignore the Premier League bedding in period he would need as well as the regualr visits to the treatment room.

Such a shame. When he’s in full flow he’s a brilliant midfielder. This is just a risk that is too great.