With rumours that Arsenal want to sign Porto attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi this summer in a £33m deal, according to the Daily Telegraph, here’s a look at five facts Gunners fans should know about their possible new purchase…
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1) He turned down France
Despite being born in Paris in 1990, Brahimi is now a full Algerian international after years of service for the French national team at youth level, turning out for every age group from Under-16 to Under-21 before switching his allegiance to Algeria in 2013. He now has 14 caps and four goals for his adopted nation.
2) He’s a good dribbler
Statistically, Brahimi has been the fourth best dribbler in the Champions League this season, attempting on average 4.9 per game with the best success rate in the competition. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Hulk have attempted more in Europe’s top club competition this term.
3) He has an eye for goal
Brahimi also caught the eye with a superb hat-trick from midfield in this season’s Champions League groupn stage match against BATE Borisov in a thumping 6-0 win. The 25-year-old also has a total of 11 goals from the middle of the park in all competitions so far this season, with attacking midfield clearly a role he is well suited to.
4) African Footballer of the Year
Brahimi’s fine form is really starting to see him make a name for himself, as he was voted by the BBC as the African Footballer of the Year for 2014.
5) CAF Most Promising Talent
Brahimi has also been voted by the CAF as the Most Promising Talent of the Year for 2014, with his best form likely to be ahead of him as Arsenal join other top clubs in showing an interest in his services this summer.