Ahead of the summer transfer window, Arsenal have identified a number of players as a potential replacement for the departing Aaron Ramsey. The Welsh international signed a pre-c0ntract with Serie A champions Juventus in February and is expected to join them when his contract with the gunners run out in June.
The situation has made Arsenal to begin early preparations as they shop for his replacements. Among names that have been linked to the Emirates is Ivory Coast and AC Milan star Franck Kessie. Kessie who joined AC Milan from Atalanta has been linked with a host of clubs across Europe this season but it seems Arsenal are now in the pole position to sign him provided Milan are wiling to part with him.
The Gunners loaned in Barcelona star Denis Suarez in January with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
It was hoped that the Spaniard could step up to the plate and prove himself to be a replacement for Ramsey, but so far Suarez has struggled to shine at the Emirates.
Reports claim Arsenal currently have no plans to sign the Barcelona man permanently, and as a result they are now looking at other options.
Italian publication Calciomercato allege that the Gunners are looking at two players from Serie A who they believe can fill the shoes of the Welshman. AC Milan’s Franck Kessie is the first of these players, amid reports the midfielder is unhappy in Italy at the moment.
Kessie was recently fined for his part in a touchline argument with team-mate Lucas Biglia, which has cast doubts over his long-term future at the club. The other player reportedly on Arsenal’s radar is Cagliari’s Nicolo Barella, who has previously been linked with a move to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka has cast doubt on his long-term future with Arsenal after suggesting he wants to ‘take the next step’ in his career.
The Switzerland international, currently away on international duty, has established himself with the Gunners and has worn the captain’s armband on a number of occasions.
But speaking to Tagblatt, the defensive midfielder has revealed a burning desire to push on his career and appears to suggest that step will not be taken at Arsenal.
‘I’m very ambitious, I want to take the next step,’ he said. ‘Arsenal does not have to be the last stop.’ It was only last year that Xhaka signed a new five-year contract extension to commit himself to the Gunners. The 26-year-old moved to the north London club from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 for £35million