Ste McGovern
Arsenal are set to try and sign Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega in the summer as a replacement for Juventus-bound Aaron Ramsey.
The Welsh midfielder agreed a huge contract to join the Serie A champions in the summer on a free transfer, meaning the Gunners have a big hole in the midfield to fill.
Arsenal have identified Banega, who has played under manager Unai Emery at both Valencia and Sevilla, as an ideal replacement for the departing Ramsey, according to the Mirror.
In case you’re wondering what the Argentine international can offer, he was the player who delivered the delicious assist to Lionel Messi for one of the best goals in last summer’s World Cup.
The north London outfit could acquire the player for £17 million, which is the cost of his buy-out clause in his contract at the La Liga club.
As talented as he may be however, Banega is 30-years-old and there may be concerns over how many good years they can get out of him, especially as Arsenal will have limited funds in the summer to spend on talent.
With the club also expected to sign Barcelona loanee Denis Suarez permanently at the end of the season for £18m, Banega’s price tag looks all the more expensive.
Even so, the midfielder could be the perfect combination of skill and steel for which Arsenal have been yearning in the middle of the park for years.