KEY POINTS

  • Arsenal gets good news in the race for Marcel Sabitzer
  • Sabitzer could be a wise financial option over James Maddison
  • Arsenal will have to overtake AC Milan and Roma for Sabitzer’s services

Arsenal is believed to be the frontrunner for the services of midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.

Now that the 27-year-old is in the final year of his deal, RB Leipzig is reportedly ready to cash in on a fee of £14.6 million ($20.9 million).

According to Bild, the Gunner are the favorites to land the Austrian this transfer window.

Sabitzer played a key role for Austria at Euro 2020, leading the team to the last 16 before falling to Italy.

But with Sabitzer’s current deal expiring after this season, Die Roten Bullen is allegedly planning to put him on the block for clubs to purchase.

The Austrian football player has been performing well for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, amassing 52 goals and 42 assists in 227 games.

Arsenal is looking for midfield replacements with the likes of Granit Xhaka believed to be leaving and Dani Ceballos set to return to Real Madrid following a two-year loan.

Manning the midfield will be delegated to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny, meaning that head coach Mikel Arteta will have to look for other players to fill the void.

Sabitzer would be a fine addition to the Gunners as he is the type of player that pundits feel could thrive in the English Premier League.

The midfielder earns £75,000-a-week ($103,000 per week). Factoring in the manageable transfer fee, the Gunners could land a quality player at a reasonable price.

However, Arsenal needs to act fast and pull off something. They are not the only team after the Austrian defender. AC Milan and Roma also have their eye on the midfielder.

Arsenal has its work cut out as it tries to rebound from a disappointing 2020-21 season.

Efforts are being made to add quality players to the mix. That list includes Ben White, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Marcel Sabitzer scored twice as Leipzig knocked Tottenham out of the Champions League
Marcel Sabitzer scored twice as Leipzig knocked Tottenham out of the Champions League AFP / Odd ANDERSEN

However, the three targets are expected to cost the Gunners, meaning the reasonable fee for Sabitzer would aid them to keep finances under control.

Getting White, Tavares and Lokonga could cost the club roughly around £75 million ($103 million).

White, being the most prominent, takes up a large chunk of that at £50 million ($69 million).

Finally, Sabitzer is seen as a more plausible option over James Maddison of Leicester City.

Maddison would cost Arsenal £60 million ($82.5 million) in order to lure him to the Emirates Stadium.

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