Arsenal may be continuing to monitor the situation of Valencia and United States international Yunus Musah as Mikel Arteta looks to bring in midfield reinforcements at the Emirates Stadium, journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.
The 20-year-old had been part of the north London side’s academy before making the switch to La Liga in 2019.
Arsenal transfer news – Yunus Musah
According to The Athletic, Musah is said to be looking for a new challenge following his time at the World Cup with the United States, with his future at Valencia seemingly in doubt.
The same media outlet suggests that the La Liga side would demand around £17m for the young midfielder, who impressed in the middle of the park in Qatar with Leeds United star Tyler Adams.
Meanwhile, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has recently told CBS Sports that the Gunners are one of several clubs that have been tracking the performances of the American starlet, though he does go on to state that other Premier League sides as well as Inter Milan are keeping an eye on the Valencia man.
And O’Rourke believes that Arsenal will regret losing Musah’s services to Valencia three years ago, but will continue to “monitor his situation” as the January transfer window draws closer.
What has O’Rourke said about Arsenal and Musah?
O’Rourke told GiveMeSport: “I'm sure Arsenal do have regrets about losing him when they had him in their youth ranks, but he's gone to Valencia and become a big player for them and also on the international stage he's shone. I'm sure Arsenal will be continuing to monitor his situation.”
How did Musah perform at the World Cup?
Musah started in all four of the United States’ fixtures at the World Cup, as Gregg Berhalter’s side made it to the last 16 of the tournament before an eventual 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands sent them packing.
Stats provider WhoScored has handed that Valencia man an average rating of 6.68 for his showings in Qatar, ranking him as the USA’s sixth-highest performer at the tournament, suggesting that he performed to a solid if unspectacular standard on the world’s biggest stage.
Meanwhile, Sofascore shows the American was a vital part of USMNT’s defensive work ethic in the middle of the park, making two tackles per game and winning back possession once per 90 minutes.
At the young age of 20, Musah has got a lot of things he can improve about his game, but Arteta may feel that he could guide the young midfielder into becoming a world-class player if he made a move back to the Emirates Stadium at some point in 2023.