According to Daily Mail, as cited by The Sun, Arsenal are interested in the services of Yusuf Yazici. The LOSC Lille playmaker has turned some heads following his excellent performances in the UEFA Europa League, putting the Gunners on red alert. The club were linked with a move to Yazici when he used to play for Trabzonspor but now could enter the market for him in the upcoming January transfer window.
Yusuf Yazici’s Redemption At LOSC Lille This Season
Yazici joined LOSC Lille for a fee of €17.5 million last summer. He was part of a huge attacking overhaul that saw the club also sign Victor Osimhen and Timothy Weah while Nicolas Pepe moved to Arsenal.
Unfortunately, the Turkish international had an underwhelming debut campaign in Ligue 1, failing to muster 1,000 minutes of league football. His progress was halted by an ACL injury that kept him out for a chunk of last season.
Yazici has made a fighting comeback this season, however, having been involved in eight goals in 12 competitive matches. Although he is yet to make an impact in Ligue 1, he has notably bagged two hat-tricks in just three Europa League matches, one of which came against the in-form AC Milan.
What Can He Bring To The Table?
Yazici is quite a dynamic attacking midfielder, who loves to run at defences. He is equipped with quick feet, which helps him squeeze through tight spaces and act as a ball-carrier in the final third. He is quite a versatile operator as well, given the fact that the playmaker can operate on both flanks.
However, what makes Yazici such a sought-after prospect in Turkish football is his ability to pick out passes in the final third. Although his performances in Ligue 1 have been underwhelming so far, the 23-year-old is more than capable of emerging as a creator-in-chief for Lille with his vision and proficiency from set-pieces.
Is Yazici A Viable Target For Arsenal?
Yazici has shown a lot of promise with his performances in the Europa League this campaign. However, the LOSC Lille star could still be a risky option for Arsenal as he is way too inconsistent at the highest level of football.
The Turkish international might also struggle in adapting to the high-paced nature of the Premier League, where he will be given very little time to showcase his quality on the ball.
The Gunners have already struggled with their one-dimensional wingers like Pepe and Willian in this campaign, so making a move for Yazici doesn’t make a great deal of sense.
Instead, Mikel Arteta should be focusing on signing a more traditional attacking midfielder, who can work with the central midfielders to create a proper foundation in the middle third of the pitch. Someone like Dani Olmo, for example, could be an ideal target, although Arsenal must offload Mesut Ozil before they can make a move for any playmaker.
