Arsenal could pull off the “deal of the century” by signing Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich on a free transfer this summer, ex-Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere has claimed.
Long-serving Bayern lynchpin Kimmich is yet to agree a new contract at the Allianz Arena beyond the end of the season, and Arsenal are now rumoured to have entered discussions over a summer move for the 30-year-old.
Mikel Arteta apparently views Kimmich as the perfect replacement for Jorginho, who is also due to become a free agent in June and is believed to have already said yes to a switch to Brazilian outfit Flamengo.
A new deal for Kimmich at Bayern has still not been ruled out, but speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, Aliadiere implored his former club to make their move if the opportunity presents itself.
“Absolute no-brainer,” the Frenchman said. “Players coming from abroad, sometimes it doesn’t quite work out in the Premier League, but I feel the style of play, him playing for Bayern Munich for so many years, winning trophies, very versatile, can play central midfield, he can play right back, left back, he’s such a great footballer.
Aliadiere: ‘Kimmich to Arsenal would be deal of the century’
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“Anywhere on the pitch, he will do you a great job. And it’s one of those players that you need in your squad. On a free transfer, my God, it’s just the deal of the century. He’ll be a great addition to the squad for Mikel Arteta.”
Approaching his 10-year anniversary as a Bayern player, serial winner Kimmich has excelled as both a right-back and defensive midfielder at the Allianz Arena, registering over 150 goal contributions in all tournaments.
The Germany international has predominantly played as a number six this season, a role that Jorginho and Thomas Partey currently occupy at Arsenal, although the latter’s camp supposedly believe that he will not be offered a new deal beyond the end of the campaign either.
Partey is expected to be replaced by Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi following reports in January that the Gunners were set to strike a £51m deal for the Spaniard, meaning that Kimmich may not be a guaranteed starter in North London.
However, with Ben White and Jurrien Timber battling for right-back starts, Aliadiere still feels that Kimmich would be best suited to Arteta’s midfield, adding: “Playing from the back, trying to get through the lines, in that position, it’s key for us.
Aliadiere backs Kimmich to shine as Arsenal’s number six
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“It’s the start of everything, that number six role, and he’s so comfortable under pressure. He reads the game, it’s like he’s got eyes behind his head, he sees what’s coming.
“It reminds me of [Marco] Verratti, when Verratti used to play for PSG, where he used to take the ball and feel comfortable in such a tight area where you just felt, ‘oh my God, that’s risk taking.’ But he felt so comfortable there.
“I think Kimmich is the same. He’s so comfortable, sees the game, reads the game well, anticipates stuff. That could be the position. Jorginho, Partey, there’s talk about them maybe leaving the club. So it makes sense to go for him.”
As well as reinforcing their midfield, Arsenal will almost certainly be in the market for an established number nine after losing Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to season-ending injuries.
The Gunners’ attacking deficiencies mattered little in Tuesday’s 7-1 Champions League mauling of PSV Eindhoven, but they have failed to score in their last two Premier League games and now sit 13 points behind Liverpool in the table.
Aliadiere reveals striker preference for Arsenal
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The likes of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres have all been linked, and if Aliadiere had his way, the 41-year-old would sign the former for the Gunners given his Premier League experience.
“I definitely think Isak,” he added. “He’s the type of player that we’ve lacked in the last few years, that striker that can make runs behind, stretch defenders, play quickly in transition, counter-attacking.
“We go in, press high, get the ball and then we take a little bit too long to go forward quickly because we haven’t got that player that is on his toes ready to make that run behind. Isak is that type of player, he’s proven in the Premier League as well compared to the other two who’ve never been in the Premier League.
“Playing in the Premier League is a big challenge, it’s different than playing abroad. He might cost a little bit more than the others, but I would definitely, if possible, go for Isak.”
Aliadiere registered nine goals and four assists in 50 matches during his eight years at Arsenal from 1999 to 2007, and the former striker also revealed which two sporting director candidates he was torn between to succeed the outgoing Edu.
Jeremie Aliadiere was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill.
