Having signed Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad in the summer, Arsenal may be ready to return to Spain for another midfielder in January.
They are being heavily linked with Valencia’s Javi Guerra, who was on the verge of joining Atlético Madrid recently until that deal collapsed, after a deadline imposed to get the transfer over the line passed. Instead, Atlético signed Conor Gallagher from Chelsea.
Guerra has a release clause of ₤90 million, but Valencia may be prepared to accept less than that with Guerra already wanting to make the move to England.
With both Thomas Partey and Jorginho the wrong side of 30, and both out of contract the end of the season, Mikel Arteta is looking to rejuvenate the base of his midfield, and Guerra, a Spanish under-21 international, fits the profile of the type of player he wants in his team – young, hungry and adaptable.
