Arsenal sat vaguely in much of the early stages of the transfer window, but seeing Manchester City and Liverpool get significantly strengthened, Andrea Berta has been locked in his first contract since his arrival at Emirates Stadium.
The gunners are desperately trying to agree with either Benjamin Sesco or Victor Guiyoker’s move, but they are now tying the move to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
One of the worst secrets of football since January suggests that the Spaniards are set to head to London, and that the report is already working on in January.
Well, this week it was reported that fees have been agreed between the two clubs. This means that Arsenal will pay more than the midfielder’s £510,000 release clause, allowing them to manage their payments in installments.
David Ornstein revealed on Friday morning that Zvimendi was in the British capital to meet Arsenal officials and complete the proceedings for his move to the Premier League.
So who is next? Well, it could be a creative midfielder.
Arsenal approaches signing another midfielder
Arsenal supporters may come as concern that the Sesco or Gyoker deals don’t seem to be nearing completion as strikers are simply yelling for signing this summer.
This cannot be said about Zubimendi’s move. Also, reports say that he cannot be said about the player who traded him in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.
It was reported in May that Gunner had submitted a bid worth £30 million to sign Creative Marvel, Bilal El Kannars, from Leicester City.
Since then, there has been little update on Moroccan International’s pursuit so far.
Certainly, African foot reports have reported that Arsenal has already agreed to personal terms with El Cannas agents ahead of the weekend when he is now “close to agreeing to a deal.”
Fees have not yet been agreed between North Londoners and Leicester. The report concludes that Berta and Co must meet Foxes’ financial requirements.
El Khannous could be available at a cut price charge, considering his side was kicked out of the top flight only last month.
Why El Cannaus is a good signing for Arsenal?
Now we know what you’re thinking. Why do you sign someone from one of the worst teams I’ve seen in the Premier League in recent years?
Well, last season, if anyone wearing Leicester Blue could hold their heads high and get out of the campaign, it was the Moroccans who caught his eye with his passing ability from midfield.
El Cannas was certainly one of Leicester’s players of the season – of course that’s not difficult – but he played well, registering three goals and six assists in all competitions. These are far from surprising numbers, but at age 21, there are plenty of possibilities to work together here.
In fact, throughout the season, the attacking midfielder ranked in the top 14% of positionally similar players on the English top flight of progressive passes, with the highest 10% on the pass to the final third, highlighting his ability to pass through the line and select teammates in promising positions.
That’s definitely his strength. As outlined by data analyst Ben Matinson, El Cannas has the “killer final ball,” but he boasts “elite weights of passing,” and, importantly, “releasing runners early.”
If the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the completed pass to the opponent’s goal or penalty area, the pass is considered progressive.
This should be music to the ears of Arsenal forward players, but especially for Arsenal’s signature, namely Sesco’s future striker.
El Khannouss vs Odegaard: 2024/25 pl | ||
|---|---|---|
Stat (per 90 minutes) | El Cannas | Odegard |
shot | 1.24 | 1.86 |
Shot creation action | 3.16 | 4.80 |
Pass completed % | 75% | 82% |
Long pass completed | 58% | 55% |
Key Pass | 1.72 | 2.44 |
Progressive Pass | 5.36 | 10 |
A successful take-on | 1.36 | 0.97 |
Statistics via FBREF. | ||
The Slovenians are the strikers of great powers and, as the goals below show, he loves to go in behind.
Arsenal may own one of the best passersby in the Martin Odegard game, but the addition of El Cannas will undoubtedly help Sesco settle even faster if they arrive at the Emirates.
At this stage of his career, it can be argued that Leicester’s star is like a younger version of Odegard, setting the tempo and supplying elite balls to the strikers.
Given the lack of Joy that Leicester had in 2024/25, playing on the Bold Minant side like Arsenal would be a match made in a heaven for young creative stars.
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