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‘Arteta Replacement’ Demands Move Ahead Of £30m Arsenal Bid

By mac14 on November 26, 2014

Arsene Wenger looks set to finally replace Mikel Arteta and has been handed a boost in his pursuit of Monaco’s Joao Moutinho…..

Fans have been calling on the boss to sign a new midfielder to replace Arteta for some time and the Express claim the Frenchman has identified Moutinho as the man he wants to play in the deep-lying role at Arsenal.

We’ve now been handed a major boost as the newspaper cites reports emanating from France that suggest the 28-year-old has demanded to leave Monaco after handing in a formal transfer request.

It’s believed Moutinho wants out after growing increasingly frustrated following the exits of Ramadel Falao and James Rodriguez in the summer, with Monaco struggling in Ligue 1 this term following their departure.

The likes of Chelsea and Man Utd are also understood to be keeping an eye on things but the Express claim Arsenal are ready to bid £30m in order to win the race and bring the Portuguese international to the Emirates in January.

I’m a big fan of Moutinho’s but I’m not convinced he’s the answer to our problems. We need a big, strong, dominating defensive midfielder to come in and boss the middle of the park and protect the back four.

For me, Moutinho is too similar to what we’ve already got in the squad, so it would be a huge mistake to splash out around £30m on his signature.

Thankfully, I also think these reports are pure speculation. Could you honestly see Arsene spending that kind of money on a 28-year-old who’ll have very little sell-on value in a few years time? Nope. Me neither.