Arsenal FC: Could a Bosman Deal for Riccardo Montolivo Be on the Cards?

The news of Riccardo Montolivo’s contract expiring in the summer has surprisingly yielded little in the way of transfer rumour over the past few months.

The Daily Mirror did report though that Arsene Wenger’s assistant, Boro Primorac, has been watching the playmaker in action in recent games. Wenger could be tempted to acquire the services of a player he has sought before, only this time for no fee.   

The sales of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas last summer have left a gaping hole in the Arsenal squad for creative midfielders.

Whilst Tomas Rosicky has been through a renaissance of sorts, showing the kind of form Wenger bought him for back in the Czech’s Borussia Dortmund days, the team’s performances have often lacked the creative edge required to breakdown stubborn defences.

Montolivo would bring that creative spark in the middle, which the squad badly needs, in order to bring the best out of the likes of Theo Walcott and Gervinho on a consistent basis.

The Italian midfielder, who also speaks fluent German through his mother, has a wealth of experience in Serie A after keeping hold of his place in the Viola midfield for over six years.

His preferred position is a more attacking role in the centre of the field, utilising his ability to weave effortlessly past several opposing players at once, but he can also be deployed as a deep-lying playmaker—similar to Andrea Pirlo—as he is able to make strong challenges and spray a long pass accurately to wide teammates.

A constantly busy player, his ability to read the run of play and make the final killer pass is reminiscent of Paul Scholes, but without the hot temper and numerous sendings-off.   

Montolivo’s talents don’t stop there. He can pull off remarkable long range efforts from outside the box: shots which leave the keeper rooted to the spot without any hope of making a save.

A player of Montolivo’s talents would hugely benefit the current Arsenal squad. Walcott and Gervinho would receive the ball in far more dangerous areas far more quickly, and his ability to pick out a long pass would allow for Arsenal to catch teams on the counter more effectively.

While Montolivo has yet to win a trophy in his club career, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Wenger has spoken before about how he only picks players that possess a hunger and desire to win and to make themselves better players. If the Frenchman opts to sign Montolivo, then you can only assume the desire will be present.

While Montolivo’s age makes him an uncharacteristic Wenger signing (he turned 27 last January), the mere fact that he comes as a free agent would make the player all the more tempting for Wenger to sign.

While the Gunners remain constantly linked to big money transfers, such as Mario Götze and Lucas Biglia, Montolivo would offer as much creative spark as those players, but without an obscene price tag.

An opportunity too good to miss surely?