Arsenal have reportedly just made contact to sign a player Lionel Messi called 'one of the best'
07/25/2024 12:30 PM
Arsenal have now made an approach to sign a player Lionel Messi thinks very highly of.
Edu Gaspar is looking to improve Mikel Arteta‘s midfield department amid doubts over the future of Thomas Partey at the Emirates Stadium.
As a result, Arsenal are pushing to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad – although contact has now been made to sign a different central midfielder in the meantime, one Lionel Messi adores…
Arsenal make Sergi Roberto move
A story from SPORT now claims that Arsenal have made an approach to sign Sergi Roberto.
The Spain international has been without a club since the beginning of July after his contract with Barcelona expired – and Arteta is now sensing an opportunity to secure a bargain.
Sergi Roberto was expected to stay at the Camp Nou – although Barcelona’s financial limitations meant a new contract was not possible for the Spaniard.
If Arsenal now manage to lure the 32-year-old to north London, the move would presumably come with Messi’s approval.
The Argentina international – who shared a pitch with Roberto on 245 occasions at Barcelona – heralded the man from Reus as “one of the best” players in the world back in 2018.
Barcelona’s official website quote the South American as saying: “You have become one of the best right-backs in the world.”
That sentiment speaks volumes, as Roberto is actually more of a natural central midfielder – playing 218 games in that position throughout his career, compared to 176 on the right of defence.
Mikel Arteta’s eyes must be lighting up
Arteta loves versatility, so you can see why the 42-year-old has acted quickly after Roberto left Barcelona.
The Spaniard has already turned the likes of Ben White, who used to be a traditional central defender, into a marauding right-back at Arsenal, while Declan Rice was coached into a No.8 who crashes the box and records goal involvements, having previously been a standard defensive midfielder.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has also been used in central areas, despite being a left-back by trade.
Therefore, Arteta presumably cannot wait to work with Roberto, who will be able to offer the Gunners a quality option on the right and also in the centre of midfield if he accepts a move to Arsenal.
READ MORE: Arsenal now want to sign wonderkid who plays like Harry Kane
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as we doubt a player of this pedigree will be a free agent for much longer.
