Rich Saudi clubs and poor Jose Mourinho could scupper two key Arsenal midfield targets

Mikel Arteta is in the market for a central midfielder, but he’s not the only one and the Gunners will have to fight off competition for these targets.
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Transfer rumours continue to swirl around Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad going into the 2023/23 Premier League season.

The Gunners lacked the legs to sustain their title chase this year and the club will be hoping to add the necessary men into their set-up to push Manchester City even more come the next campaign.

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A centre-midfielder is on the top of Arteta's shopping list and here is the latest on two rumours in that area of the pitch.

Jose Mourinho sized obstacle in way of Your Tielemans deal

Arsenal will face an unwanted obstacle in their pursuit of Leicester City star Your Tielemans this summer as Roma boss Jose Mourinho also hatches plans to move in for the midfielder.

Tielemans is one of a handful of players to have left the former Premier League champions following relegation and the Belgian had been touted as a possible answer to Mikel Arteta's quest for a midfielder.

Tielemans is available on a free transfer and had also been linked with Liverpool, but Mourinho may pull out all the stops to make a move to Italy happen.

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Roma have failed to qualify for European football next term and are set to have a cut spending budget as a result, making the free transfer of Tielemans an attractive prospect.

Youri Tielemans is available on a free transfer (Image: Getty Images) Youri Tielemans is available on a free transfer (Image: Getty Images)
Youri Tielemans is available on a free transfer (Image: Getty Images)

The Mirror reports that the 26-year-old is hoping for a Premier League switch, but Mourinho has proved his ability to convince players to swap the English top flight for the Serie A with moves for Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling, which may help him persuade Tielemans to choose Roma over Arsenal.

Saudi interest could be blow for Arsenal move for Ilkay Gundogan

Saudi Arabian clubs are interested in securing the services of Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan this summer, despite the midfielder being heavily linked with Arsenal.

Metro reports that Saudi clubs will be able to offer a much higher wager than Arsenal for the star, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the month.

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Manchester City are keen to keep the German, whose brace won the side the FA Cup last weekend, but a deal is yet to be accepted.

Saudi clubs have already thrown their weight about this summer with Karim Benzema joining Al-Ittihad from Real Madrid and Chelsea man N'Golo Kante reportedly on the verge of signing too.