Arsenal news round-up: Transfer advice, Nkunku back on radar, Ligue 2 talent eyed

Arsenal advised to shell out £26m for technically gifted La Liga star

Kevin Campbell has urged Arsenal to sign £26m-rated Real Betis attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir, who is being considered as a possible alternative to Martin Odegaard.

The Norway international has impressed on his season-long loan stint at the Emirates from Real Madrid and the north Londoners are keen on keeping him beyond the summer.

With no purchase clause attached to the midfielder’s loan deal, Arsenal are believed to be keeping their options open in case they fail to agree a permanent transfer with Madrid.

According to reports, the club are monitoring Fekir, who could be available for just £26 million despite his £77 million exit clause.

The 27-year-old signed for Betis from Lyon in a deal worth £17.7 million in the summer of 2019 and has needed 10 goals and grabbed nine assists since his arrival in Spain.

And Gunners icon Campbell believes Nabil possesses many key attributes and would be a good signing for his former club at the price of £26m.

‘Fekir is a real handful,’ Kevin told Football Insider. ‘He can score goals, he can create, he is strong, quick and has a wand of a left foot.

‘I was hearing he is available for £26million, I’m telling you, put the money down now.  He is a top player. £26million? Arsenal, put the money down now because that is a very reasonable price.’

Arsenal rekindle their interest in former Paris Saint-Germain ace

Arsenal could make a swoop for RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku in the summer, having previously been interested in the player.

That’s according to a report from Sky Sport Germany, who say Arsenal were keen on the French ace before his move to Die Roten Bullen back in 2019.

He has been impressive for the German club since moving in an £11.7m deal from Paris Saint Germain two years ago in search of regular game time.

That is something the former Parisians prodigy has found in the Bundesliga, establishing himself as a first-team player under the German head coach Julian Nagelsmann over the last two terms.

This year Nkunku has been in particularly good form, with six goals and five assists in 21 matches in the Bundesliga so far.

That has seen the player tentatively linked with a move elsewhere, and back in November, the Gunners were named as potential suitors by SportBILD.

Sky follow that up and state the playmaker could also move to England as several Leipzig players are linked with making the move in the summer.

According to their information, the Gunners already had their eye on him before his move to RB Leipzig and, while it is not claimed outright, it’s hinted that interest remains.

Arsenal tracking highly-regarded Valenciennes defensive prodigy

Arsenal are allegedly one of three clubs that are interested in signing Valenciennes starlet Ismael Doukoure this summer.

The 17-year-old centre-half only made his professional debut in October, but the ace has impressed for the Ligue 2 club where he has featured in 15 outings.

He has started the last six league matches for the French side having become a key player for Olivier Guegan’s side.

And his performances have not  went unnoticed, with Foot Mercato claiming the talent could be set to depart Stade du Hainaut at the end of the term.

They state that Arsenal are eyeing up a move for the youngster, who has been likened to the club’s former transfer target Dayot Upamecano.

They were known to be long-term admirers of the RB Leipzig player, but have missed out on his acquiring his services after he agreed to join Bayern Munich.

And the North Londoners could miss out on Ismael’s signature if they don’t act fast, with Leicester said to be monitoring his progress.

The Foxes dipped into the French market last year to tempt Wesley Fofana away from St-Etienne, and the club could look to raid one of the country’s top talents again.

Foot Mercato have also declared that Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg are aiming to keep him in France, with the club already approaching Doukoure about a possible move.

Doukoure signed for Valenciennes from Lille in 2017 and was rewarded with a three-year contract last summer.