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Arsenal Transfer News: Kerem Demirbay Not Interested in Summer Move Amid Rumours
February 23, 2018
Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay appears to have ruled himself out of a potential summer move to Arsenal after insisting he's happy at the Bundesliga outfit.
The Gunners have been one of the Premier League outfits linked with the Germany international, who told newspaper Kicker (h/t Daily Mirror): "I never said that I wanted to change [clubs]. I feel comfortable here and will be playing for Hoffenheim in the coming season."
Demirbay is one of numerous Hoffenheim stars who has thrived under the management of Julian Nagelsmann, who has attracted great attention as one of the Bundesliga's finest tactical minds.
And despite being only 24 years of age, Demirbay has already illustrated his place as an essential cog in the Hoffenheim setup, per OptaFranz:
Arsenal's midfield has again encountered criticism this season, with Granit Xhaka's performances at times drawing scrutiny, while Santi Cazorla is still looking to come back from an 18-month injury lay-off.
What's more, Arsenal have let Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Francis Coquelin depart north London in the past two transfer windows, leaving the squad open for some new arrivals in the middle of the park.
Demirbay has scored two goals and recorded five assists in 23 appearances for Hoffenheim this season, and five of their eight Bundesliga losses this term have come when he's been absent from the lineup.
Liverpool's Emre Can is one German export who has made the move to the Premier League, and WhoScored.com recently compared Demirbay's attributes with the Reds man:
Demirbay is a more attacking player than the Anfield star, though. Therefore he likely wouldn't be brought to Arsenal with a view to becoming a destructive force but rather one who could complement those further up the field.
That raises the question as to whether Demirbay is what the Gunners need. A supporter recently called into BBC Radio Five live's 606 and made his feelings known that defensive midfield should be at the core of their renovation project:
No Hoffenheim player has managed more key passes per league game than Demirbay's 1.7 this season, per WhoScored.com, and he has also averaged the most crosses in the squad (1.1 per game).
While a transfer could loom in the future, it appears Demirbay isn't interested in risking his development with a move to the Premier League, though missing out on his signature could be a blessing in disguise for Arsenal.