Reports earlier this week from Sky Germany have revealed that Borussia Dortmund’s defensive midfielder, Mahmoud Dahoud will not be renewing his contract which expires at the end of the season & and the player is currently eyeing a move to the Premier League.
The 27 year old German International has had a difficult season. After suffering a minor shoulder injury at the back end of last season, Dahoud was devastated to find the issue reoccur in the opening weeks of the 2022/23 season, keeping him out until the World Cup. Since the restart, Dortmund have been one of Europe’s most in-form teams, and manager Edin Terzic has been reluctant to rotate heavily in midfield – as well as the fact Jude Bellingham also plays the same role.
Arsenal are clearly going to add depth to their squad as they get ready to a play higher level competition next year. Dahoud is far from the eye-catching signing Arsenal fans are expecting this summer, with many reports suggesting that Declan Rice is edging closer to a move to the Gunners and the saga between Arsenal and Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans still on-going. Would this feel more like an Arsene Wegner signing than a Mikel Arteta one?
With Mohamed Elneny recently renewing his contract, Granit Xhaka looking as much of the club’s captain as he ever has, new signing Jorghino impressing in his early games and Albert Sambi Lokonga due to return from his loan in June, Arteta needs to address where he makes additions, and cuts, to his midfield with real care.
Arsenal’s transfer strategy in 2021/22 was to exclusively buy u23 players and develop them into first team players. Arsenal’s transfer plan in 22/23 has been to add leadership, experience and high quality in positions they have dropped off in throughout previous seasons.
A lot remains to be seen about the approach for 23/24, and will be heavily dictated by the next few months in the Premier League.
Want to read more? Jamie Carragher has his say on Arsenal’s celebrations & the title race.
