Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Marcelo Brozovic and Yacine Brahimi Rumours

Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly battling to sign Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic before Wednesday’s transfer deadline.

That’s according to the player’s agent, Miroslav Bicanic, who namechecked the Gunners when Croatian outlet Index asked him about Brozovic’s future (h/t MailOnline). “It's true, there are many options and we are talking about some big European clubs,” he said. “I heard that Chelsea representatives are in Milan and that Arsenal are also prepared to sign him.”

It’s suggested in the piece that after missing out on Portugal international Joao Mario, “the Premier League rivals have turned their attention to the Inter midfielder.” Here is a glimpse at what Brozovic can offer at his best:

Inter have signed Mario, Ever Banega and Antonio Candreva this summer, meaning competition for an attacking-midfield spot at the San Siro will be fierce. Brozovic may find minutes hard to come by as a result.

The 23-year-old only became a Nerazzurri player this summer, having spent the previous 18 months with the club on loan. He’s impressed in spells, especially when given licence to shuttle as a box-to-box midfielder. Brozovic has also performed well in withdrawn and wide roles, with positional flexibility one of his main assets.

As is his consistency, demonstrated by these numbers from WhoScored.com:

For Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, it’s easy to see Brozovic ticking a lot of boxes. He’s technically proficient, there is room for improvement and he possesses the physicality to cut it in the Premier League. For the midfielder, you'd suspect the chance to move to the Emirates Stadium would also be appealing.

However, the Croatia international needs to join a team with whom he’ll play regularly. Given the quality the Gunners have in his position, that’s not likely in north London. If Brozovic is to realise his potential, picking his next destination needs to be a considered process.

Arsenal in Yacine Brahimi Battle

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According to A Bola (h/t Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness), Arsenal are battling with Everton and Liverpool to sign FC Porto winger Yacine Brahimi.

It’s noted the Premier League is the player’s "preferred destination," with the Toffees said to have a "small advantage" over Arsenal in the chase for the Algeria international. The Portuguese giants are said to value Brahimi at around €40 million (£34 million).

The Porto man has been considered one of the best players in the Primeira Liga for a long time, using his nifty feet and ingenuity on the ball to great effect. Here is a glimpse at what Gunners supporters could enjoy if Brahimi were to make the switch:

With defender Shkodran Mustafi and attacker Lucas Perez set to sign for the Gunners, per BBC Sport, filling two problem areas of the squad, luxury purchases such as Brahimi could be explored in the final days of the transfer window. He could give Arsenal an edge in their title push.

As noted by Jan Hagen of Sport Witness, it certainly looks as if the winger will leave Porto:

Brahimi is at his best on the left flank, darting inside to threaten goal or surging around the outside of his marker with blistering pace. But for Arsenal, deploying him there would potentially lessen the influence of Alexis Sanchez.

What the 26-year-old would bring to the squad is more diversity in the attacking third and an upgrade on the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It’s tough to see the Gunners parting with the aforementioned sum to get this one over the line so late in the window, though.