Arsenal remain top of the Premier League despite dropping points against Liverpool on Sunday (April 9). Mikel Arteta’s men are six points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game pending after drawing 2-2 in the Anfield clash.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are keen to sign a midfielder from Lazio. Elsewhere, Dusan Vlahovic has been tipped to excel at the Emirates. Along those lines, here’s a look at Arsenal’s key transfer stories on April 11, 2023:
Arsenal eager to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Arsenal are keen to secure the signing of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Tuttomercatoweb via Gooner Talk.
The Serbian midfielder is in the last 18 months of his contract with Lazio and wants to leave this summer for a new challenge. The Gunners are longtime fans of the 28-year-old and have maintained their interest in him despite not signing him last summer.
Milinkovic-Savic has appeared 38 times in Lazio competitions this season, scoring eight goals and assisting as many. The Serie A outfit are likely to take advantage of him this summer if he continues to stall on a new deal.
The Gunners are monitoring the situation closely as they look to renew their attack ahead of the new season. The Serb could compete with Granit Xhaka for a place in the starting XI and is likely to cost around £35m.
Dusan Vlahovic backed by Emirates success
Journalist Pete O’Rourke has endorsed Dusan Vlahovic to start working in the Emirates.
The Serbian striker has been heavily linked with a move to London this summer. The 23-year-old has been impressive since he joined Juventus in 2022. However, his future remains up in the air following the Bianconeri’s struggles on and off the pitch this season.
Vlahovic has registered 11 goals and four assists in 31 appearances in all competitions this season for the Serie A giants. Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke said the Serb’s arrival could help the Gunners continue their recent run. resurgence.
“He’s a proven striker; he’s done very well in Serie A and also on the international scene, so he would be a big name signing, and he would continue to show the progress Arsenal are making that they’re actually capable of making this guy. of transfers,” said O’Rourke
Arsenal lack an absolute goalscorer like Vlahovic, so his arrival could add another dimension to Arteta’s attack.
Gunners have no plans to get rid of Granit Xhaka
Arsenal have Granit Xhaka firmly in their plans for the future, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Swiss midfielder is a vital piece in Arteta’s starting eleven at the Emirates. The 30-year-old has been integral to the club’s success this season, registering seven goals and five assists in 40 appearances in all competitions.
There has been some doubt about the player’s long-term future, especially since he’s on the wrong side of 30. However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano said that Xhaka remains a key player for the Gunners.
“The Gunners consider Granit Xhaka a really important player. There is an option from the club to extend his contract until June 2025, so there is no panic to renew at this point as his deal is still valid for another two years,” he wrote. Roman.
added:
“The focus at the moment is to extend the deals for William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale, then other players will be invited to discuss their terms with the club as well.”
Xhaka’s presence has helped the North London side maintain a good balance between youth and experience.