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Arsenal now eager to sign Johan Manzambi as Freiburg set high asking price
Arsenal are now eager to sign a £48m central midfielder who is having an “amazing” season, and there is a belief he would be the ideal addition to the squad.
Gunners keen to bolster midfield options
Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi have struck up quite the partnership in the middle of the park, following the Spaniard’s arrival in the summer, and the former West Ham United star has praised his new midfield partner.
Speaking earlier this month, Rice said: “He’s been unreal. He’s played so many minutes for us, the way he gets on the ball, obviously he’s Spain’s No.6 at the minute and rightly so, you see the quality he brings, the calmness, the composure, the way he thinks.
“It’s been great to play with him. I’m learning a lot and we’ve built a really good partnership, so long may that continue because we’re both young, we’re both fresh and we want to keep building that together.”
With the likes of Christian Norgaard, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino also able to play in central midfield, Mikel Arteta has plenty of options in the engine room, but the Gunners are now looking to bolster their options even further.
That is according to a report from Sports Boom, which states Arsenal are now eager to sign SC Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi, with a whole host of Premier League clubs recently joining the race for his signature.
Manchester United have expressed the strongest interest, while there could also be competition from Chelsea, but Freiburg are determined to hold out for a big transfer fee, with the German club looking to receive €50m – €55m (£43m – £48m).
Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli are also interested in signing Manzambi, but a move to the Premier League is deemed to be near-certain, with the Gunners of the belief he would be the ideal addition in the middle of the park.
Manzambi enjoying “amazing” season in Germany
Scout Jacek Kulig has certainly been left impressed by the 20-year-old’s performances in the Bundesliga this season, taking to X to praise him last month.
The youngster has established himself as an important player for Freiburg this season, chipping in with three goals and three assists in 16 Bundesliga outings, while also featuring in every Europa League match, with the German side yet to lose a game in Europe.
There is arguably no need to bring in another top-level midfielder anytime soon, given that Rice and Zubimendi will be difficult to displace in the Arsenal starting XI.
Arsenal lead race to sign £80m star who’d be their best striker since Auba
Signing the sensational striker would supercharge Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.
However, Manzambi is still very young, and has proven he could be a future star, so a move would make sense, although £48m would be a lot to pay for a player who has made just 37 senior appearances for Freiburg.
