Gunners chasing move for Joao Moutinho.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has identified his prime central midfield target for the January transfer window, report the Express, with the Gunners lining up a move for AS Monaco’s Portuguese international star Joao Moutinho, although the Ligue 1 side are set to demand an eye-watering £30 million for the former FC Porto man.
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Moutinho is one of few expensive acquisitions left at Monaco after they sold James Rodriguez and allowing Radamel Falcao to depart the club on loan, with the 28 year-old having been the metronome at the heart of the principality side so far this season.
The demands of Financial Fair Play mean that Monaco will have to name their price for Moutinho, however – and the club are expected to be willing to part with their man for around £30m, which would represent a huge financial gamble from Arsene Wenger on a player who can no longer be considered a youngster.
Moutinho does, however, have the positional discipline and ability to control a game that has been sorely lacking in Arsenal’s displays so far this season, although he is far from the natural defensive midfielder that fans have been demanding from their manager and club.