Report: Arsenal Eyeing Ex-Lyon Star As Martin Odegaard Alternative

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing Nabil Fekir ahead of the summer window…

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a move for Real Betis playmaker Nabil Fekir ahead of the summer window as Mikel Arteta looks to cure our creativity issue with a long-term solution, Goal reports.

Creating chances was a serious problem of ours earlier this season but Mikel Arteta’s shift to a back four, coupled with the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe saw us become a more potent attacking force.

The manager wasn’t satisfied though and sanctioned the loan move for Martin Odegaard who has burst into life in recent weeks and given us another dimension.

While Odegaard has made all the right noises in terms of his long-term future and how he’s enjoying his time in north London, he is a Real Madrid player and a permanent move is dependent on the La Liga side’s desire to sell.

Fekir almost joined Liverpool a few years ago, with the move falling through in bizarre fashion after the French international completed a medical and did his media rounds with the club’s official channel.

According to the report, Fekir could be available for €30m with only two years left on his contract and clubs across Europe feeling the pinch in the current financial climate.

It remains to be seen if we’re able to commit such a transfer fee this summer, especially for a 27-year-old with very resale value.

Having said that, Arteta will be expected to fund much of his summer business through player sales after claiming that we’re set for another unprecedented in terms of player transactions.

Fekir definitely possesses the type of technical qualities required, but one wonders what Liverpool saw in that medical that made them bulk at completing that transfer.

The former Lyon man did suffer a ruptured cruciate knee ligament in 2015, though it hasn’t prevented his availability for Real Betis.