Can Arsenal beat European rivals to secure Sevilla’s Steven N’Zonzi?

Add as preferred source on Google

The Independent, Daily Express and Telegraph are reporting that Arsenal have joined the race to secure the signature of French central midfielder Steven N’Zonzi.

The 28-year-old is currently plying his trade with La Liga high-flyers Seville but is starting to attract the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs after eighteen-months of producing consistent, high quality performances at the Ramon Snachez Stadium. Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus are all rumoured to be monitoring his situation but Arsene Wenger may be tempted to make the first move and beat his rivals to the punch as he looks to re-start The Gunners’ stuttering title hopes.

What would he bring?

N’Zonzi is perceived as being the complete central midfield player. Physical imposing, technically efficient and defensively solid, the Frenchman has all of the attributes required to excel at the very highest level. In addition to this, the 28-year-old already has an abundance of Premier League experience having spent over half-a-decade playing for Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, and is undoubtedly at the peak of his prowess. However, Arsenal fans should not be expecting too much action in front of goal from N’Zonzi, the midfielder has only found the net 20 times in over 250 career appearances. Instead, The Gunners would be purchasing a defensive powerhouse that would be able to offer protection for the defensive line whilst also having the technical ability to dictate play from deep areas.

Is a move likely?

Reports from Spain suggest that Seville have already accepted that N’Zonzi will be leaving for pastures new sooner rather than later. The Spaniards have attempted to re-negotiate the midfielder’s contract in recent months in an attempt to remove a £25,800,000 release clause, but with no success, and the Los Rojiblancos are now bracing themselves for a flurry of offers in the coming weeks. Arsenal are notoriously slow to get transfer deals over the line and Arsene Wenger will need to move quickly if he is to secure the Frenchman’s signature before some of Europe’s other big-hitters start to flex their financial clout.

Verdict

N’Zonzi would certainly be a welcome addition to an Arsenal midfield that consists of an abundance of attack-minded players but still lack defensive solidarity and the Frenchman would fit smoothly into English football after previous experience of the Premier League with Blackburn and Stoke. However, Arsene Wenger is unlikely to bust the bank in order to secure the services of a 28-year-old especially after spending big on another defensive midfielder, Granit Xhaka, in the summer. Z’Zonzi would be good signing for The Gunners, but competition from other clubs and Arsenal’s stringency with the purse strings will probably see them miss out.

Verdict: 4/10

Featured Image: All Rights Reserved Bola Mania (Bola Mania)