Arsenal are seeking additions to their midfield ranks ahead of the new Premier League season but Unai Emery is ready to pull the plug on one reported move.
The Evening Standard states Arsenal are unlikely to continue to pursue OGC Nice target Jean-Michel Seri, who has courted the attention of Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli – and is available if his £35m release clause is met.
Arsenal, with restricted finances after failing to qualify for the Champions League, are not out of the running entirely for the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international but are considering alternative, and cheaper, options.
Their shortlist includes Hoffenheim’s 24-year-old Germany international Kerem Demirbay and Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini, the latter of whom is available for £22m due to a clause in his contract – significantly lower than Seri.
However, midfield deals are complicated by the uncertain futures of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, the latter of whom has just one year remaining on his contract – while Wilshere could leave at the end of the month on a free transfer.
