Arsenal could make a 'surprising' transfer move in the final days of the January window, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners have added Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior to their ranks, but they may still make a left-field move to bring an additional player to the Emirates Stadium before the deadline.
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Arsenal transfer news - Potential signings
The Telegraph report that Arsenal could attempt a late move for long-term Chelsea target Moises Caicedo, however the Times detail that Brighton & Hove Albion have now set a £100m asking price for the Ecuadorian, which could dissuade Mikel Arteta from launching an offer.
A new midfielder appears to be of the utmost importance to the Arsenal manager, and the Evening Standard claim that the Gunners are in pole position to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, who has a release clause of £52m, but a deal would have to wait until the summer.
Ibrahima Bamba is a more defensive option in the engine room, with Jornal De Noticias recently reporting that a move to Arsenal could be imminent for a fee of £26.4m, with Arteta said to be stepping up his interest. (via TEAMtalk)
What has Fabrizio Romano said about Arsenal?
Romano suggests that the Gunners could yet swoop for a signing who hasn't even been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium yet, telling GIVEMESPORT: "Let's see if they will try for something surprising, we have to remember that last summer they decided to go for Douglas Luiz in the final hours of the window and it was completely surprising.
"So I will not exclude that they will do something similar like try for a surprising target in the final days, it's still open for a midfielder."
Which midfield signing would be best for Arsenal?
With Romano indicating that a midfielder is still on the agenda for Arsenal, it is worth taking a look at which one would offer them the most in their bid for a first Premier League title since the Arsene Wenger era.
Caicedo is exhibiting some promising signs with Brighton, ranking in the 83rd percentile compared to other midfielders for tackles per 90 in the past year, with an average of 2.70, as per FBref, however the £100m fee that is now being demanded is far too much for the youngster.
With the Zubimendi deal seemingly not possible until the summer, that leaves Bamba, who has been hailed as 'fantastic' by journalist Zach Lowy, and ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles in the same timeframe, while also averaging more blocks and dribbles completed than Caicedo, as per FBref.
Of course, the Gunners could still make a completely left-field signing, but of the players that are currently linked, signing Bamba may be their best bet, as a deal to bring him to the club would be inexpensive, and he has proven himself as a solid defensive midfielder.
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