Eduardo Camavinga has emerged as an option for Mikel Arteta to strengthen his Arsenal side ahead of a tough run of fixtures in the Premier League and other competitions.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice but they have chosen to pursue that target in the summer. In the meantime, they could do with an extra midfielder to strengthen their squad and Camavinga, Real Pearl, fits their talent ID.
The Gunners are looking to approach Madrid with a loan offer for the 20-year-old who is still playing second fiddle to the ageless Luka Modric for the Spanish giants. However, it is unlikely that Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti will sign off on the move because he rates the former Stade Rennais midfielder highly.
Should the move happen, the Angolan-born French international will be the Gunners’ third signing of the January window. They have brought in Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Hove Albion in a £27 million move and have also finalised details to bring Polish defender Jakub Kiwior from Italian side Spezia.
Kiwior, like Trossard, is a surprise deal as there were no indications that Arsenal had their sights set on him. But unlike Trossard who had been linked to the North London side in the past, his was a signing that no one saw coming.
The Polish defender will cost the Gunners £20 million and will come in to provide competition for Gabriel Magalhaes on the left side of Arsenal’s centre back pairing.
Camavinga, on the other hand, will primarily give Thomas Partey some competition. His versatility could also see him fill in for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left back, after it was shown by Didier Deschamps at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar that he could play in that role.
Granit Xhaka could also see some competition from the young Frenchman.
Overall, he would be a great signing for Arsenal, who have looked to Real Madrid more than other clubs in recent times to solve a lot of their squad problems.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos are having an inner turmoil of their own.
Youngster Rodrygo Goes has expressed displeasure with his limited role in the team to his inner circle, according to reports.
The 22-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2019 but has been unable to break into the team’s first XI since then. He has started a good number of games and played the full 90 minutes in many, but his role is mainly that of a squad player who is mostly used as a substitute.
A recent row between him and Carlo Ancelotti over his being substituted made the headlines but was explained away as a media misinterpretation by the veteran manager.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for the young Brazilian.
