Arsenal have been having a mixed transfer window thus far having signed Granit Xhaka for £34m along with successful moves for Rob Holding and Japanese striker Takuma Asano. While Xhaka is expected to slot into the first team, the signings of the other two players are mostly seen as back-ups with an eye on the future. But they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to recruit a top striker thus far this summer with moves for Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuaín failing to materialise. Recent links have also surfaced with Arsenal said to be interested in Riyad Mahrez and Alexandre Lacazette.
While the fans have been crying out for reinforcements in the aforementioned areas, reports of Arsenal re-igniting their interest for Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic have emerged. Wenger has been a known admirer of the Croatian midfielder and Arsenal have been tracking him during his stay at Inter. With the Croatian impressing last season along with starring for his National team in the Euros, Arsenal have been rumoured to be have made enquiries about the availability of the player. The Serie A club would loathe to lose the player but due to their financial instability have reportedly quoted a price in the range of €30m, which has Arsene Wenger baulking over a deal.
While in theory Arsenal’s midfield looks to be packed up to the brim after the acquisition of Granit Xhaka, with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Elneny, Ramsey and Coquelin potentially vying for 2 slots in the midfield. But the departure of Arteta, Flamini and Rosický has prompted the Frenchman to provide cover for the departed trio. With the injury record of Wilshere not making for a good read along with the perceived fragility of a couple of other players, Wenger wants to be sufficiently covered in an area which is vital for the way he sets him teams up.
On 24 January 2015, Brozović signed with Inter Milan on a year and half loan deal with a clause to make the deal permanent. He is considered a box-to-box midfielder but is comfortable playing in the centre of the midfield. He has also spent a considerable number of matches playing on the right side of midfield and further up the pitch. His passing catches the eye and his tendency to play key passes for his attackers stand out. The 23-year old midfielder is also adept at taking set-pieces and his eagerness to contribute defensively is also an area Arsenal could do with.
While he is unlikely to feature in the starting line-up if the deal does go through, his versatile nature will make him an important acquisition for the Gunners. Although the player looks capable of succeeding in the Premier League, Arsenal have to be wary of spending the quoted amount of money on a player who might not feature regularly for them and instead look to secure their prime targets first.
