Mikel Arteta must make £51m-rated playmaker likened to Mezut Ozil his priority signing for Arsenal this summer transfer window.
Arteta’s men ran Manchester City close for the Premier League title, finishing two points off the summit of the table.
The onus will be on them to go one further next season and planning ahead of the summer transfer window will already be underway.
One player should be at the very top of their list.
Arsenal should try to sign Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons has been linked with a move to North London for much of the year, as Arsenal continue to keep tabs on the Paris Saint-Germain starlet, who spent last season on loan at RB Leipzig.
Simons, who has been likened to Mezut Ozil, enjoyed a productive year at the Bundesliga outfit, netting 10 times whilst laying on 15 assists, taking his total goal contributions to a whopping 25.
PSG would reportedly cash in on the 2003-born playmaker if they were to receive an offer of £51.3m, according to Sport.
Arteta should make Simons his priority signing, as he’d fit perfectly into his system.
Xavi Simons statistics
Simons can operate as a number 10 and off both flanks, evincing his terrific versatility – a trait Arteta holds in high regard.
It’s easy to see why so many clubs are eying a move for him when you take a look at his impressive statistics, as per FBref.
The 13-cap Netherlands international ranks in the top four per cent for shot-creating actions compared to his positional peers across Europe, amplifying his playmaking ability.
Further, he sits in the top 12 per cent for progressive passes, evidencing his forward-thinking style.
If Arsenal do land Simons’ signature this summer, they’d be getting a chance creating machine that’d notch them up a level in the final third.