Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta 'willing to pay' £30m to sign Premier League playmaker

Arsenal are allegedly contemplating whether to make a big-money approach to sign a Premier League playmaker in the summer.

The Gunners are currently focused on trying to remain in contention in the Premier League title race, as well as their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid.

However, with new sporting director Andrea Berta now at the helm, thought is already being given to how Mikel Arteta's squad can be improved during the next transfer window.

Central midfield will likely take a high level of priority courtesy of Jorginho and Thomas Partey being in line to depart the Emirates Stadium.

Nevertheless, strengthening in the final third also feels imperative given the club's issues down the centre of the attack, it yet to be determined whether a traditional number nine or versatile frontman will arrive.

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Arsenal to take advantage of Leicester plight?

According to Fichajes, Arsenal have identified Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss as a potential addition to the squad.

In his first season of Premier League football, the 20-year-old has contributed two goals and one assist from his 20 starts and five substitute outings.

Two of those came in the first game of Ruud van Nistelrooy back in December, his only other league goal since then coming in a 2-1 triumph away at Tottenham Hotspur on January 26.

Despite being on a contract until 2028, the Morocco international could plausibly be sold should the Foxes suffer relegation back to the Championship.

At the end of August, the Foxes spent in the region of £21m on the youngster, and cashing in for a profit could make sense when they are trying to comply with the relevant financial rules, whether that be in the Premier League of EFL.

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Worth the money?

While El Khannouss has ultimately given every indication that he has the potential to succeed at a bigger team, he is also yet to prove that potential.

For a player who can be deployed as a number 10 or down the left, a return of seven senior goals is not the kind of figure that will leave Arsenal fans feeling enthused.

Seventeen assists across 123 games for Genk and Leicester is more encouraging, yet there are question marks as to whether Arsenal would want to commit a significant portion of their summer budget on a player of the profile of El Khannouss.

Written by
Darren Plant