Pablo Fornals to Arsenal: Arsenal eye £17.8m move for Villareal midfielder

Pablo Fornals to Arsenal: The Gunners have reportedly identified the replacement for Aaron Ramsey.

Aaron Ramsey is set to leave Arsenal after 11 seasons at the club. The talks for a new contract between the Welsh midfielder and the club broke down earlier this season, and Ramsey confirmed his departure in an interview last month.

The midfielder, however, stated that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Arsenal have been impressive under Unai Emery this season, as the club is currently on a 16-game unbeaten run across all competitions. However, they were forced to a draw in their last three league games, which has pushed them down to 5th in the table.

And so, Arsenal have been linked with moves for multiple players in the transfer market. According to the latest reports from England, the Gunners have identified a replacement for Aaron Ramsey.

Pablo Fornals to Arsenal:

Fornals, who currently plays for Spanish side Villareal, and has been a key figure for the side this season. He has made 17 appearances across all competitions for Villareal, scoring three goals and notching two assists.

The Sun has now reported that Fornals is available for as cheap as £17.8m in January, which comes across as a bargain in today’s transfer market. The 22-year-old midfielder has also received two caps for Spain so far.

Should Arsenal manage to sell Elneny in January, the funds will then be used to activate the release clause (reportedly £17.8m) of Villareal midfielder Pablo Fornals. [@rich_forrester] #AFC pic.twitter.com/h3MVO6t1xa

— Cannon Insider (@CannonInsider) November 19, 2018

He is a versatile footballer, and can play efficiently on the wings, as well as a central attacking midfielder.

Earlier in the summer, Arsenal underwent a midfield overhaul after the arrival of Unai Emery. The Gunners parted ways with Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, and brought Matteo Guendouz and Lucas Torreira at the club. Both the new signings have established themselves as a vital part of the first team this season.

Pablo Fornals is a name that was discussed at Arsenal last summer as they earmarked potential successors to Cazorla. Mislintat’s arrival might have changed things but he’s familiar to them. This was from last June.https://t.co/qC93ioZgNv

— Tom Marshall-Bailey (@TomMarshall_B) November 20, 2018

Arsenal also signed Sokratis and Stephan Lichtsteiner in their defence, and brought Bernd Leno at the goal. The German goalkeeper has replaced Petr Cech on the goal after an injury to the former Czech international, and has delivered impressive performances for the side so far.

Very different type of players but of course this would mean a massive improvement for Arsenal. Pablo Fornals is already one of the most established midfielders in La Liga, even tho he is only 22. https://t.co/QXzGDRylT5

— Spanish Gooner (@elspanishgooner) November 20, 2018

What next?

Arsenal will return to the Premier League with the game against Bournemouth, who are 6th in the league table. The Gunners will look to end their dismal run in the league and secure three points to keep up with the top-4.

Arsenal are currently 3 point behind city rivals Tottenham Hotspur.