Arsenal linked with two lesser known talents around Europe.
Arsenal are looking to sign two young stars this January in Guingamp midfielder Giannelli Imbula and FSV Mainz 05 striker Adam Szalai.
Despite his club Guingamp playing in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football, Imbula is a wonderful young talent who seems destined for the top.
Imbula turned 20 in September, and thanks to his mature performances at his young age, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are also keen according to Le Parisien and ESPN journalist Julien Laurens – and he has a release clause of €9 million (approximately £7.5m).
Born in Belgium to Congolese parents, Imbula grew up in Paris and possesses French nationality – meaning a work permit would not be an issue.
His playing style is comparable to that of Abou Diaby – albeit left footed, and so far in his career he appears somewhat more robust.
How much first team football he would be ready for with a UEFA Champions League club participating in the Barclays Premier League at this stage remains to be seen.
Szalai is at least a more experienced player, but if this Bild story is correct, a move for him would still frustrate plenty of Arsenal fans.
The 25 year-old Hungary striker is over 6’3″ tall, the build of a target man.
Although he has scored 9 goals in 16 Bundesliga starts this season, and supplied two assists for his team-mates, Gunners’ supporters will wonder why Arsene Wenger did not move for proven Premier League goal-getter Demba Ba.
“I like Demba Ba personally, he is a similar type to Giroud who we just bought. It was one or the other one,” said Wenger recently, which will make a move for Szalai all the more frustrating.
“I don’t know anything,” said a laughing Szalai when asked about Arsenal’s interest.
His manager was not quite so coy.
“There is definitely nothing there. There is no amount of money we would sell him for now,” said a stern Christian Heidel.
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