Arsenal interested in signing 29-year-old Barcelona midfielder

This season, more than ever, Mikel Arteta’s vision for Arsenal seems to be coming to life. They sit fifth in the Premier League, just two shy of the top four, with two games in hand.

To realise this dream, though, the Gunners will have to fill in some gaping holes in their team, starting as early as the winter transfer window. This starts with the central midfield.

Arsenal have lost Arteta’s first-choice double pivot of Thomas Partey and Mohamed Alneny to the AFCON this month, leaving them with just Granit Xhaka and Albert Lokonga. The former of which has picked up a red card in their most recent outing against Liverpool.

Consequently, it seems Barcelona’s very own Sergi Roberto has come up as a transfer prospect for the North London outfit, according to Fichajes. The Spaniard becomes a free agent in June 2022 and is free to negotiate with any team.

They will have to, however, forget about signing him this month, though. Roberto is still recovering from a long-term injury and will be essentially out for most of the remaining season.

Arsenal had initially been eyeing a loan move for Juventus’ Arthur Melo, but that idea might not materialise with the record-Italian champ’s squad stretched thin.

Roberto and Barça have been in quarrel about the length of the contract and wages offered in his renewal. Further, he faces a lot of competition in both his preferred spots (midfield, right-back) in the squad. A move to London could get Roberto his dream gig of playing in central midfield, as he has so openly spoken about.

With Sergino Dest exit-bound as well, the Blaugranas will almost definitely have to look for a right-back. Ajax’s Noussair Mazraoui has been strongly rumoured with a switch, while Cesar Azpilicueta’s name is in the mix as well.