3 Moises Caicedo alternatives Arsenal should consider before the deadline

3. Ibrahima Bamba

20-year-old Bamba is an unknown commodity, but his name has appeared in transfer rumour mills linking him to Arsenal after his agent was spotted in London.

Unlike Sangare and Zubimendi, who’d be ready to fill in for Partey right away, Bamba is much more of a project signing. The Italian, who currently plies his trade in Portugal for Vitoria Guimaraes, is enjoying quite the season and he’s excelled playing at the base of a 4-3-3.

Bamba has proven during the formative stages of his senior career that he’s an excellent defender, and he’s occasionally been used as a libero where he can put his impressive frame to good use. He’s incredibly tenacious, and he reads the game superbly when deployed in midfield. Arteta will undoubtedly appreciate his versatility, as well as Bamba’s athleticism and his comfort in possession.

The young midfielder’s yet to evolve into a progressive machine with the ball, but there’s plenty of time to develop in that regard. Overall, Bamba looks to be a mightily exciting talent, but one that probably won’t have much of an impact right away if he was to join before the deadline.