Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet. The Belgian star is only 24 years old and is reportedly available for a release clause of 25 million euros.
Arsenal are entering a new chapter in their history after parting ways with the legendary manager Arsene Wenger. Wenger vacated his seat at the Emirates 22 years after taking charge and the Frenchman has left some big boots to fill. After a lot of rumours and reports, the Gunners board appointed Unai Emery as their boss.
The Spanish tactician left Paris Saint Germain after a decent season with the French giants and will now take over at North London. He will have a lot to do at a club which still runs under the blueprint of Wenger. The Spanish boss will have to bring in his own players, new backroom staff and most importantly implement his own style of play at the club.
It is now being reported that they are interested in signing Dennis Praet. Unai Emery clearly wants to address the midfield issue as he has also lined up a move for Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma.
The Gunners currently have several midfielders on their roster. There is the energetic Jack Wilshere who was recently left heartbroken after failing to get a call-up for the FIFA World Cup in Russia despite playing a full season for the Gunners. Wilshere is a typical number 8 who can run up and down the pitch for the entirety of the match. He has extremely good ball control and a determination to fight against all odds, which makes him a natural leader on the pitch.
Then there is Granit Xhaka who is another extremely good midfielder on his day. However, the Swiss ace is inconsistent and has bad days more often than not. He is another ball player and not exactly a defensive midfielder. The third choice is Aaron Ramsey who is a brilliant box-to-box player. Ramsey can play the ideal midfielder who will push up late into the box to sneak in a goal but he is not a defensive midfielder either.
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This has left the Gunners short of a midfielder who will sit back and guard the backline. Praet for all his abilities is definitely not that man and he might be just another version of Xhaka, Wilshere or Ramsey who will take over the number 8 role. Hence, the Gunners should instead move in the market for a midfielder of a different mould instead.
