Report: Arsenal hold talks with 'spectacular' playmaker's agents, as Edu eyes key signing

By John Verrall

Arsenal are said to have held informal talks with Nabil Fekir’s representatives at this stage, by Goal.com.

Although the discussions are not said to have been advanced, Arsenal have seemingly let the player know of their interest in signing him.

Making plans

Fekir may not be Arsenal’s first choice number 10, but they have also missed out on a number of other options at this stage and may be making a contingency plan.

James Maddison appears too expensive, Martin Odegaard looks set to stay at Real Madrid and Emiliano Buendia has joined Aston Villa.

Arsenal may, therefore, have to consider the Real Betis playmaker as a legitimate option, despite him not showing his best form in recent years.

The French international, who has recently been called ‘spectacular’ by Betis teammate Emerson (Diario de Sevilla) was once considered to be one of Europe’s best number 10’s when with Lyon, but his stock has fallen recently.

He would, therefore, arrive at the Emirates Stadium with a big point to prove.

If Arsenal could get him back to his best then he may well be one of the best value for money bargains on the market this summer.

But the fear would be that Arsenal bring in another player who is past his prime, who then struggles to make an impact on their first-team.