Reports suggest that Arsenal have made contact with Eintracht Frankfurt over the potential signing of Jesper Lindstrøm. Although Mikel Arteta’s current focus is on winning the Premier League title, plans are already being made for the summer transfer window. The Gunners are looking to improve their squad depth to remain competitive while also preparing for their return to the Champions League for the first time since 2017.
Sky Germany reports that Arsenal has entered the race to sign attacking midfielder Lindstrøm, whom Frankfurt is ready to sell this summer for the right price. The Bundesliga side is said to want around £44 million for the 23-year-old, but a more realistic fee is considered to be £30-35 million. Lindstrøm has recorded 14 goals and 13 assists in 70 appearances for Frankfurt so far and was pivotal in their Europa League triumph last season.
Various clubs, both in the Premier League and around Europe, are interested in acquiring Lindstrøm, who still has three years left to run on his contract. However, Arsenal is said to be one of the few to have approached Frankfurt over a transfer, although it is reported that Liverpool has also made contact, which could lead to a bidding war over the player.
It seems somewhat strange that Arteta is looking for a new attacking midfielder given that he already has Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira, and Emile Smith Rowe at his disposal. Lindstrøm is capable of playing as a left-winger as well, but even then Arsenal already have Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard playing brilliantly in that position.
In the meantime, Arsenal will look to extend their eight-point lead at the top of the table when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday. Lindstrøm’s Frankfurt, currently sixth in the Bundesliga, travel to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday in a pivotal game in the race for the top four.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will pursue Lindstrøm or look for other options in the transfer market. However, with the added pressure of Champions League football next season, the Gunners will undoubtedly be looking to strengthen their squad depth to remain competitive.