According to AS, Arsenal have made an attempt to sign Nabil Fekir. It appears the Real Betis playmaker has been identified as a potential target for Mikel Arteta, with the London club even lodging a bid that does meet Betis’ demands. The Spanish outfit are intent on keeping hold of Fekir, but could be swayed, should any interested party come up with a truly lucrative offer.
Nabil Fekir’s Growth At Real Betis
Nabil Fekir joined Real Betis in the summer of 2019, a year after his triumph with France in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He joined the club in search of making a bigger breakthrough – this time in Spanish football.
Fekir’s numbers, though, have decreased considerably in Spain. The playmaker has notched up 72 competitive appearances for Real Betis, scoring just 12 goals while providing 13 assists. It is certainly not enough for a player of his calibre, though the player has performed well overall for Los Beticos, often emerging as a creator-in-chief going forward.
Despite his underwhelming numbers in La Liga, Fekir is still regarded as a talented playmaker, who can breach any defence with his dynamism and vision in the final third. His proficiency from set-pieces makes him a bigger threat for the opposition backline.
However, Manuel Pellegrini wants Fekir to further improve his performances in the upcoming campaign. The former Man City boss hopes to revolve his squad around the Frenchman next season, which is why he is desperate to keep hold of the star.
Is Fekir A Wise Target For Arsenal?
Arsenal are in need of offensive reinforcements in the upcoming summer transfer window, as Martin Odegaard returns to Real Madrid following the end of his loan spell. His departure will once again open up a void in the creative department, and that is where someone like Fekir will be an interesting fit.
Having recently missed out on Emiliano Buendia to Aston Villa, the Frenchman appears to be a decent cost-effective alternative. With more than 200 combined appearances in French and Spanish top-flight, he has a lot of experience at the highest level of football.
But perhaps more importantly, Fekir is an ideal ball carrier, who can improve Arsenal’s transition play. He is also more versatile than Odegaard, as the 27-year-old can drift into a wider position if required. Not to mention, he has a keen eye for goal as well – making him a viable target for the Gunners.
That said, Arsenal’s pursuit of Fekir will largely depend on Real Betis’ valuation of Fekir. While the Frenchman isn’t expected to cost a fortune like Odegaard, the club certainly cannot afford to spend anything more than €30 million for a player, who hasn’t overly impressed in his ongoing two-year spell in Spain.
