Arsenal already have one eye on the summer transfer window after a failed January window where they were unable to onboard any new players. As per reports from Caught Offside, the Gunners are among a host of Premier League clubs interested in acquiring Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson. Liverpool and Manchester United are the other clubs in the fray.
Mainly a central or a defensive midfielder, Larsson’s rise to prominence this season has been amazing. The 20-year-old has become an integral part of their first-team setup, with the club likely to demand upwards of €60 million for his signature. The player’s current trajectory is promising, and he will look to take the right step in his career.
Along with the three aforementioned clubs, cash-rich Manchester City and Real Madrid are also outsiders in keeping tabs on Hugo Larsson. The midfielder has played 29 games for Eintracht across competitions this season, scoring four goals and providing one assist as well. It remains to be seen if interest from clubs of a high caliber turn his head.
Situation at Arsenal, Liverpool and Man United
The Gunners have a midfield with players with varied range of age. Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are the main players, and are on the good side of their 20s. Mikel Merino is bang in the middle and is nearing 30, while Jorginho and Thomas Partey have entered their 30s, which is a fair age for the decline of a midfielder to begin.
In order to navigate the situation well, Arsenal are already in the market for multiple profiles. They are in the market for a defensive-minded player, as well as someone who is a ball-playing or box-to-box midfielder. To that tune, they have identified Hugo Larsson as one of the defensive targets, while others like Rosenborg BK’s Sverre Nypan would play a more advanced role.
At United, the team needs to move on from Casemiro and requires a midfielder who can hold the position down for the next several years, so signing a 20-year-old talent makes sense. As for Liverpool, they are known to stockpile midfielders and rate Larsson highly, and will not budge easily.
It remains to be seen which club the player ultimately chooses.
