Arsenal transfers 25/26

[HotCrossGuns]

@YJYUX

Not sure how we address an heir to Partey given his unique qualities. Maybe we go down the stats route and pick out an unknown player but one that mirrors Partey’s strengths. And I claim to know absolutely no one of the sort, so goodluck to nerds in that department.

No 2 players are exactly the same, but I don’t think even Partey is that unique.
I think any of those I highlighted at the bottom of this post would do a similar job once they’d had a bit of settling in time:

@HotCrossGuns

Said for a while I think our #1 priority is/should be a Partey backup/replacement
My targets would be:

Likely unobtainable
SMS - but… contract expires in 18m…
Barella

Possibly expensive/difficult
Kessie - moved down from unobtainable given Barca struggles
Goretzka - heard before he wasn’t doing too well at Bayern
Locatelli
Bennacer
Neves
Mikel Merino
Brozovic

Should be do-able
Ndidi - contract expires in 18m and can see him pushing for a move with Tielemans leaving and Leicester’s struggles
McKennie - sounds like they want rid

Closest direct replacements are probably Barella, Kessie, Ndidi, Merino, rest are in a slightly different mould.