The last winter’s January transfer was more famous in England for Chelsea beating Arsenal to the signature of long-term target, Mykaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donesk.
The Gunners have courted the Ukrainian winger for long and it was almost certain they will complete the move, even so as the player continued to make public of his intention to join the North Londoners.
However, on a day when it was thought that the completion of the move will be announced, it was Chelsea instead who had reached an agreement with the club and before the world could digest the shock, agreement was soon reached with the player as well.
It was a big shocker for fans of The Arsenal having already grown fond of the player, who appeared to have fallen in love for their team but has signed a contract of around eight years with their rival.
Arsenal soon moved on to sign Leandro Trossard from Brighton and after the first six months, it is the Mikel Arteta’s side who got the better deal as Mudryk continues to struggle to find his bearings in England.
Yet to score a goal for the club after 15 games, recording just two assists, both of which were not really down to his quality or even intended.
Trossard on the other hand has featured 20 times for Arsenal, scoring once and registering eight assists – the Belgian has also become a crucial part of the set-up, with his versatility making him an option in all front three positions.
But with those deals done with, the two clubs rivalry in the transfer window could be set to be rekindled in the summer, as Chelsea look to strengthen their wearing midfield.
The uncertainty over the future of both Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic, as well as the unreliability of N’Golo Kanté due to injuries make it inevitable for Chelsea to add more options in the summer, and this could again upset Arsenal’s plans.
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The Gunners have singled out Declan Rice as the main midfield target for the summer, when they’ll look to move on certain players in order to level up the quality of their midfield.
Granit Xhaka is reported to have agreed a move back to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen after seven years with The Arsenal, having joined from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2016.
Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Rice and the rumours linking their union at Arsenal is becoming stronger. Latest reports also suggests Arsenal will table and opening bid to West Ham in the coming days.
Chelsea have an outstanding interest in the midfielder and could look to return to it due to their own needs. This could again cause a transfer tussle between the two clubs in the summer.
Rice, who spent eight years at the Chelsea Academy between 2006 and 2014 before leaving as a 14-year old has informed West Ham United his decision to leave, and will have a big decision to make if the two clubs, Arsenal and Chelsea come calling.
He will be torn between a return to his former club and joining their rival, Arsenal. But the deal will also be influenced by the demands of West Ham, who will be keen on making the most of the interest of the two clubs.
This could mean part of Pochettino’s first assignments as the new Chelsea boss is to try and beat his former teammate, Arteta to the signature of Rice.
Aside Rice, Moises Caicedo is another player on the radar of both teams. In January, both Chelsea and Arsenal wanted to sign the Ecuadorian and the latter even had multiple bids rejected. With Brighton likely to be opened to negotiation from next month, both teams could look to return for him.
Both Rice and Caicedo would want to play in the Champions League and it is Arsenal who offers that next season. But players in recent times have also consider choosing the more suitable project, instead of playing in the Europe top club competition.
Last summer, it was Arsenal who beat both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea to the signature of Gabriel Jesus despite not boasting Champions League football but in the forthcoming summer, it is the Gunners who will have that edge over their fellow Londoners.
Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
3 Comments
Why battle Arsenal for 100m Declan rice
when we can just get Enzo le fee for lesser price
Though I fancy arsenal to have upper hands in these deals but I don't write off the fact that Chelsea is very much capable to cause a very huge upset in getting their players. However, I don't think neither Chelsea nor Arsenal will sign both Rice and Caicedo together. Both will have to choose one and let go of the other.
My humble summary though.
Chelsea and there wahala