James McNicholas has revealed Arsenal admires Jude Bellingham and predicts the Gunners chances of signing the Englishman.
THE LOWDOWN: MIDFIELDER SEARCH
Arsenal have been in search of a midfielder since the summer window ended. Although it has been about getting a defensive midfielder or one that can play centrally, other type of midfielders have also been linked with a move to the Emirates.
However, with the January transfer window now open, talks have resumed about a possible arrival in that midfield position.
One player is considered to be out of reach for the Gunners if an attempt is made to move for him next summer.
THE LATEST: SILENT ADMIRATION
Arsenal’s recruitment department are reportedly silent admirers of Jude Bellingham, but the Gunners would be least favourites to land the player if they attempted a summer move.
James McNicholas, in his report for The Athletic, revealed that Jude Bellingham is seriously admired by Arsenal’s recruitment department, but there are a lot of hindrances if a move is to happen.
Dortmund believes Bellingham leave for at least €150m (£132m), which is well clear of Arsenal’s club-record transfer fee.
Even with a possible return to the Champions League on the horizon, that fee and Bellingham’s wages would be difficult for the Gunners to match.
In addition, Arsenal are way behind the rest of the European teams trying to snap up the player by next summer.
It is well understood that likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid are ahead of the rest and have already been working hard trying to convince Bellingham to pick them, with other European clubs also positioning themselves for a summer bid.
McNicholas concluded that Arsenal could well be considered underdogs if they made a move for Bellingham.
THE VERDICT: BEYOND REACH
Arsenal should stay with targets that are within their reach. The Gunners have a duty to strengthen the squad now and not wait till the summer.
It was glaring in the goalless draw against Newcastle and that should help Arteta and the rest of the recruitment make some decisions in the coming days.