A London club have reportedly made a €7million bid for Fenerbache defensive midfielder Mehmet Topal – with some sources suggesting Arsenal are that club.
With the Gunners in the market for a defensive midfielder, they have obviously been linked – but there is nothing concrete that shows Arsenal even have an interest in Topal.
Liverpool and Everton have both been heavily linked with a move for Topal, but of course they are not in London. Arsenal’s apparent lack of interest in Morgan Schneiderlin has seen some suggest that Arsene Wenger may now be looking for a back up to Francis Coquelin rather than a replacement for him. That’s not a theory that I personally believe.
Topal has spent most of his career in Turkey, although did spend two years at Valencia in 2010-2012. He’s been a very consistent performer for club and country and would be a solid squad addition, at a very cheap price. You’d have to wonder why we’d sign him though.
With Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta entering the final year of their contracts at the club, if Arsenal sign a defensive midfielder then they really should be looking for someone a bit younger. Topal is 29, and it’s not likely that he will improve anytime soon.
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