Arsenal have suffered a blow in their bid to bring Saul Niguez to the Emirates after Atletico Madrid reportedly blocked his Janaury transfer following an injury setback to Tiago’s. The Gunners have their own injury concerns as they are already without the services of key players.
Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin are the two players, who played alongside each in the midfield are out of action. Jack Wilshere is recovering from his long-term injury and the situation has left Arsene Wenger with Mathieu Flamini as the only player in that position as Mikel Arteta is struggling to regain full fitness.
According to Spanish publication El Confidencial, Niguez was negotiating a transfer with the north London club for a potential move after the start of the new year. Tiago broke his tibia bone when he went to tackle Espanyol’s Marcos Asensio during his side’s 1-0 victory on 28 November and is likely to be on the sideline until March, reports ESPN.
Diego Simeone has fielded Niguez in that position and the latter has started to impress, which has seen him make become a regular inclusion for Atletico in all competitions since Tiago’s injury setback. The 21-year-old believes he is now being valued at Vicente Calderon.
The Spaniard spent the 2013/14 season on loan at Rayo Vallecano and despite impressing during his loan spell, he failed to cement a place in Atletico’s playing XI last term. The situation at the Spanish capital club has forced Wenger to look elsewhere in the transfer market as his side are in a very good position to win the league this term.
The Gunners need to bring in a player in the defensive midfield position, if they look to challenge for the title and also have the hope of retaining the FA Cup by winning it for the third consecutive year in a row.
According to Goal.com, Sporting midfielder William Carvalho is another target for the Frenchman. He has long been on the English giants’ radar, only for the move to collapse in the summer after he picked up an injury in July.
Wenger could make a fresh approach for him in January, but it should be seen whether the Portuguese outfit will allow their star midfielder leave as they also look to win the title this season.
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