According to reports, Arsenal’s target Antonio Candreva is to be offered a new contract to ward off the North London club’s interest in the player.
The 27 year old Italian midfielder plies his trade with Serie A side Lazio.
He is reportedly to have attracted interest from several Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs during the past transfer window, despite these interest Stefano Pioli’ side were able to hold on to the midfielder, and with his contract running down, the Rome club are looking to reward him by tying down the Italian international to a long term contract.
The president of Lazio Claudio Lotito has opened talks with the midfielder’s agent with a view to tying him down to five year deal that will see his wages increased to £700,000 per annum.
With the 27 year old highly regarded at Lazio, there are indications that the club are looking to pass the captaincy to him as another incentive that will aid in the signing of the contract.
Antonio Candreva initially joined Lazio in 2012 from then Serie A side Cesena, he has had loan spells with Juventus, Parma and Livorno, and has gone to make 87 league appearances scoring 21 goals.
His link to Arsenal ahead of the January transfer window is coming as something of a surprise, as the club does not need another attacking midfielder in it ranks.
If anything, it is the cries for a central defensive midfielder that has been at the top of most people’s list for some seasons now, especially one that possess the attributes to handle the physicality that comes with playing in the Premier League.
The pecking order for that position is spelt out with Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and even François Coquelin as third choice in that position following his inclusion in Arsenal’s squad for the season.
The short coming all the players have is that none of them pose the physical qualities to add height to Arsenal’s midfield.
With Mikel Arteta and Francois Coquelin’s contract running out at the end of the season, it is likely that the latter would be released while Mikel Arteta might be offered a new contract.
Despite his importance to Arsenal because of his tactical awareness and technical discipline, Arsenal’s captain has averaged at least a month out with injury in every season since he joined from Everton in 2011.
With his age (32), and his dwindling pace, it means he cannot be relied on to stay fit all the time.
Arsene Wenger would have to bring in an upgrade at some point, but certainly not another attacking midfielder as Antonio Candreva’s links has shown.
