Arsenal are believed to be considering alternatives to James Maddison and Martin Odegaard in their quest to bring in a new attacking midfielder this month.
Odegaard’s future is still unknown with Real Madrid reluctant to sell currently, but they don’t appear keen to use him in their first eleven. That could present an opportunity for the Gunners to swoop later in the window.
Maddison has been linked but he would likely cost in excess of £60million as Leicester have no need to sell.
So Arsenal may have to look elsewhere. One player who has publicly been put up for sale is Bernardo Silva of Manchester City. According to The Mirror, Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing him.
Silva turns 27 tomorrow and is therefore a little older than the profile of player the club have been looking to bring in this window. But his top level experience and qualities, as well as his history working with Arteta, make him an intriguing option for the Gunners.
Silva is valued at £63million by transfermarkt, but it is thought Manchester City would be willing to accept an amount of around £40million following their record-breaking signing of Jack Grealish.
Silva moved to a deeper, more central role for City last season but he struggled to hit the heights of previous years. Silva is another left footer who likes to play from the right, he is similar to Martin Odegaard in that sense.
If Arsenal can’t sign Maddison or Odegaard, then Bernardo is another great option if he would be open to the move. In fact, should he be top of the clubs list?