Arsenal are on the hunt for midfield reinforcements this summer, with Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta drawing up a shortlist of five potential options.

Despite winning the Premier League last season, the Gunners’ hierarchy aren’t prepared to rest on their laurels. They’re eager to add more firepower to their squad, with the middle of the park evidently a position of concern.

Martin Zubimendi struggled in the latter half of last season, while Myles Lewis-Skelly remains something of an unknown quantity in midfield. Thus, Declan Rice needs a reliable and durable partner who can also take the reins when the England international is unavailable.

The BBC reported on Monday night that Arsenal have enquired about Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who is one of five targets the North London club are considering.

With that said, GIVEMESPORT have decided to rank all five candidates in order of priority for Berta and Arteta this summer.

5

Curtis Jones

Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Age: 25

Club: Liverpool

Curtis Jones is seemingly on his way out of Liverpool after spending another season somewhat on the periphery of proceedings at Anfield. There are suggestions that just €25million could be enough to prize the Reds’ academy graduate away from Merseyside, and this prospective fee should surely prompt interest from several top clubs.

Jones has been heavily linked with Arsenal in the past, and while reports on this front have been minimal this summer, it would be silly to rule out a Gunners move for a player Arteta is supposedly so fond of. An excellent passer who is nimble enough to be effective in the final third but defensively strong enough to play as an eight, he has the right balance of attributes to make him an exciting prospect at Arsenal.

That said, Jones certainly cannot operate as a lone six, and the North Londoners arguably need someone who can do that as well as playing as an eight.

4

Manu Kone

via Reuters

Age: 25

Club: Roma

Manu Kone is undoubtedly a talented midfielder who should be snapped up by a more established Champions League club, despite Roma qualifying for Europe’s most prestigious competition. However, the purported price tag that has been placed on the Frenchman makes it hard for Arsenal to justify making a move for him.

£43million has been mooted for Kone, a fee that reflects someone who would play an incredibly prominent role and is well-rounded, rather than a sporadic squad player with a handful of exciting tools. The Gunners should steer clear, and instead pursue one of the two promising youngsters on this shortlist, both of whom have a much higher ceiling than the 25-year-old Roma star.

Despite developing a reputation as a silky operator in possession, the data suggests that Kone’s primary attributes at this stage of his career are his carrying, completing 1.06 dribbles per 90 minutes in Serie A last season. While this would be useful for Arsenal, the Gunners need someone who adds more value in possession through passing.

3

Alex Scott

Age: 22

Club: Bournemouth

Similarly to new Tottenham signing Mateus Fernandes, Alex Scott is yet to demonstrate that he has the capacity to provide real value in possession. However, this may be a byproduct of Andoni Iraola’s system at Bournemouth, which generally relies on ball progression via the centre-backs’ long and direct passing, rather than methodical build-up through midfield.

Arsenal are said to be interested in Scott, although the Cherries’ supposed reluctance to sanction the player’s departure may ultimately present a stumbling block in the deal. The top line in the reporting seems to indicate that the Gunners would need to fork out a substantial sum to tempt Bournemouth into selling one of their prized possessions.

His ceiling is arguably higher than Fernandes’, so Arsenal could certainly justify spending big on the England international. However, they’ll need to be cautious regarding this fee, as there are still reservations about whether Scott can develop the passing ability required to play in a possession-dominant side.

2

Ayoubb Bouaddi

Burt Granofsky/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Age: 18

Club: Lille

Ayyoub Bouaddi doesn’t turn 19 until October, yet he’s already enjoyed two impressive full seasons in the Lille first team. To have played this volume of minutes at a top club in France at this age is an extremely encouraging sign when looking to project forward about what the Moroccan might become.

Thus, the purported price demands from Lille are more reasonable than the fee Bournemouth are looking for for Scott. Bouaddi has superstar potential, and this wonderkid pedigree comes with hefty demands from the selling club.

Arsenal have reportedly already made a £52 million bid for the 18-year-old, and it’s believed that Lille are holding out for more. Given he has displayed similar qualities to Scott and Fernandes, boasting exceptional defensive output and carrying abilities, but is younger and likely cheaper, the Gunners should prioritise Bouaddi over his Premier League counterparts.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

via Reuters

Age: 28

Club: Newcastle United

Despite being considerably older than three of Arsenal’s other primary midfield targets, Bruno Guimaraes is by far the best option available to Berta and Arteta. The Gunners are in a win-now window — their rivals are in transition, while their best players only have a handful of seasons left playing together in their prime.

Thus, Arsenal need to take advantage of this period in which they have the opportunity to dominate English football. They need to sign a world-class midfielder who will complement Declan Rice, but who is also capable of filling the void left by the Englishman if he’s unavailable.

Guimaraes is the perfect candidate. He’s in his prime, may reportedly only cost upwards of £80million and is extremely well-rounded.

The Brazilian is an outstanding passer, contributes in the final third and can carry a midfield defensively by himself. If paired with Rice, Arsenal would arguably have the best double pivot in the Premier League, and one of the best in the world.

If the Gunners were trying to build to be the best team in Europe in three or four years, then one of Bouaddi or Scott would be the sensible move. However, they’re looking to retain their status as the best side in the country, making Guimaraes the ideal acquisition.

All Statistics via FotMob – correct as of 30/06/2026