KEY POINTS

  • Nabil Fekir seems interested in taking up the Arsenal offer
  • Fekir is described as fairly similar to Lionel Messi
  • Fekir is also seen as a cheaper target over Martin Odegaard

Arsenal has run into a string of bad luck as far as landing its targets.

However, that could all change soon assuming they don’t blink on Nabil Fekir.

It appears that the 27-year-old forward is determined to make the jump to the English Premier League.

For those who may not know, this is not the first time that Fekir’s name has been linked to the Gunners.

His name popped up last April after ex-Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell suggested the French forward as a cheaper alternative to Martin Odegaard.

He was estimated to be available for around $37 million, a big difference in numbers compared to the estimated $71 million for the Norwegian footballer.

Having missed the chance to enter the Premier League in 2018 with Liverpool, Fekir is now reportedly keen on fulfilling that dream according to Goal’s Charles Watts.

“Another player that they like that plays in that sort of creative area is Nabil Fekir,” Watts said. “He’s over in Spain at the moment with Betis. He would absolutely be keen on a move, not just to Arsenal, but to the Premier League–he missed out on his big move to Liverpool before.”

Fekir is described as a player that is a bit like Lionel Messi by ex-Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny in 2016.

He has good technical skills, but a concern could be his struggle with injuries, ESPN reported.

Fekir joined Real Betis in 2019 from Lyon and has made a good account of himself. He was able to compile five goals and six assists in 33 league appearances so far.

Nabil Fekir of Real Betis
Nabil Fekir of Real Betis Getty Images | Mateo Villalba/Quality Sport Images

Fekir’s best season came during the 2017-18 season, where he amassed 23 goals and issued eight assists.

A lot has changed since then, but the French national could recover that old form with a move to the Premier League.

After blundering its chase for players like Emi Buendia and possibly Odsonne Edouard, Arsenal would be wise to keep close tabs with Fekir.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is expecting an exodus of players with the likes of Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi.

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