Arsenal make £100m-rated midfield star 'current priority' as Gunners build future transfer plan

Arsenal are said to be ‘keeping tabs’ on the Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra. The Gunners were previously linked with watching Guerra’s situation last week and the latest reports from Football Insider have suggested that signing a new midfielder on a long-term deal remains a ‘current priority’ for the N7 side.

Both Thomas Partey and Jorginho’s contracts currently expire in 2025, with the latter midfielder signing just a one year extension on his Emirates deal in the summer, and now Mikel Arteta is said to be focused on finding a player who can replace them. Guerra is said to be one such candidate with the 21-year-old ‘highly rated’ and a player Arsenal are said to be aware of due to their scouting network.

However, a deal for the Valencia star would prove difficult to achieve in the next transfer window due to his release clause currently being set at €100m (£85m). Reports indicate that Arsenal are not set to trigger the clause in January, meaning negotiations between both clubs will be necessary if the Gunners wish to prise the rising star away from the La Liga side. In fact, it seems highly improbable any club are likely to pay such a sum for the young sensation.

Links have also been made between the Gunners and England international Angel Gomes but it is said that Guerra’s dynamic style in the middle of the pitch makes him a much more appealing prospect who could develop in the future as his profile better suits Arteta’s wants for the future of his midfield set-up.

Guerra first broke into the Valencia first team in 2022/23 but solidified his place as a regular in the 2024/25 campaign. He has made 40 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals last season, and has already played all four of Valencia’s La Liga fixtures this season, starting two and coming on as a substitute in the others.

The Spain U21 star is currently under contract at Valencia until 2027, giving the Spanish club plenty of negotiating power