Arsenal reportedly could be set to deal yet another transfer blow to West Ham United this summer.
West Ham and Arsenal both need big summer transfer windows, with Julen Lopetegui and Mikel Arteta keen to improve their respective squads.
Both the Hammers and the Gunners will be looking at their central midfield departments in particular as areas that require urgent attention.
West Ham lost our best midfielder to Arsenal last summer when Declan Rice left the London Stadium to move to the Emirates in a £105 million deal eight months ago, and he has been a huge hit for Arteta’s side.
Despite the fact that we received a huge fee for Dec, losing him obviously weakened us massively.
Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse arrived at the London Stadium, but our struggles throughout the campaign highlighted just how much we missed Rice, especially defensively.
74 Premier League goals conceded tells its own story really doesn’t it.
And now Arsenal seemingly could be set to deal us yet another big transfer blow…
Arsenal could hurt West Ham for the second time
The Gunners could be back to hurt the Hammers once again this summer, but in a completely different way this time.
Arsenal seem to be well advanced in a move to secure an unbelievable bargain deal.
According to a report from L’Equipe, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is in talks to sign Monaco ace Youssouf Fofana for an absolute bargain £17 million fee – a player who West Ham have been heavily linked with signing (RMC Sport).
That’s no surprise – Fofana is an elite box-to-box midfielder and his energy, dynamism, power and athleticism would have brought so much to our team.
The 25-year-old has an incredible physique, but he’s not all about pace and power. The Frenchman is very good with the ball at his feet. He has been described as an ‘unreal’ midfielder by Monaco’s official website.
Fofana has absolutely everything needed to succeed in the Premier League, and the chance to sign him for just £17 million is one that neither the Gunners or the Hammers can afford to miss out on.
Unfortunately for West Ham though, Arsenal are a far more attractive prospect than us right now for potential new signings.
It’s just such a shame that we didn’t push harder to sign the Monaco midfielder last summer.
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