Arsenal target Pep Guardiola’s unwanted Ligue 1 star to solve Mikel Arteta’s midfield conundrum

Arsenal have been busy so far in the summer transfer window after recently announcing the signing of FC Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira. The acquisitions in the middle of the park should not end there as the Gunners still need to sign a more defensive midfielder and that could also be Edu’s thinking.

According to French news outlet L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain have held talks regarding the potential signing of Seko Fofana from Lens. Newcastle and Arsenal are also said to be interested in signing the midfielder.

The Gunners still need to strengthen in the middle park before the end of the transfer window. Fofana would certainly be a good acquisition for Mikel Arteta ahead of next campaign.

READ MORE:Patrick Vieira’s ideal France midfielder can be signed by Arsenal for a bargain £17.2m transfer

Youri Tielemans seemed to be the ideal target to improve the middle of the park for Arsenal, but this is reportedly no longer the case. Arteta’s side have ‘cooled’ their interest in Tielemans, according to Sky Sports. The report claims that it’s become increasingly likely that the Belgium international now signs a one-year contract extension at the King Power Stadium, with his current deal set to expire in 12 months.

With an alternative to Tielemans needed to be signed, the Gunners have an excellent opportunity to complete a bargain deal for Ivory Coast midfielder Fofana. The Ivorian already has experience of playing for a Premier League club.

Fofana joined Manchester City in 2013 from Lorient where he would join City’s development squad. He would leave the Citizens in 2016 during Pep Guardiola’s first season as manager at the club after making the move to Udinese.

However, it is his spell at Lens where he has excelled and showed his quality. The Ivorian played in every league game last season as his side made a surprise push for Champions League qualification before narrowly missing out.

The 27-year-old contributed with 12 goals in 41 matches showing his ability to be utilised as a box-to-box midfielder, which would be useful for the Gunners going into the next season. Arteta lacked a goal source from midfield and Fofana could certainly fill that void.

Mikel Arteta had problems with the midfield last season due to the lack of quality in squad depth, and that has hindered the club’s progress at times. If the Spaniard opts for three players in the centre of midfield then Fofana would be an excellent option to have on the left-hand side for the future.

With Tielemans seemingly out of the picture, it is important that Arsenal still look to sign another midfielder before the season starts in August. Fofana has shown over the past two seasons that he would be an ideal alternative.

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