Arsenal & Chelsea Linked With Talented ROI International Midfielder

With the summer transfer window set to re-open, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Arsenal and Chelsea are linked with James McCarthy.

Arsenal and Chelsea are understood to be weighing-up bids for Wigan Athletic midfielder James McCarthy this summer, according to the Independent.

The Republic of Ireland international moved to Wigan from Scottish side Hamilton in 2009 and has gone on to become a firm fixture in Roberto Martinez’s first eleven, starting in all 35 Premier League fixtures so far this season.

The 22-year-old has been superb at the heart of the Latics midfield and it seems his impressive form hasn’t gone unnoticed among the upper echelons of the league with the Independent claiming both Arsenal and Chelsea are keen on prizing him away from the DW Stadium at the end of the season.

As Wigan prepare for a crucial clash with Swansea tonight which could go a long way to determining whether they survive the drop this season, the club are set for a very different type of battle this summer as they try to hold on to one of the brightest young talents in the country.

It would be difficult to see McCarthy plying his trade in the Championship next season should Martinez fail to pull off the great escape once again, and even if they do stay up, Wigan are bracing themselves for bids this summer.

Arsenal were linked with an £8m move during the January transfer window but it seems their London rivals are also keen on the talented all-action midfielder, with the Independent suggest both clubs are weighing up summer bids.

The newspaper claims that the level-headed youngster won’t simply be tempted by big-name clubs and money, and would sooner move to a team where he knows he’ll get regular games rather than sit in the reserves or on the bench week-in week-out, which may suggest a move to Chelsea may be unlikely.

Arsenal are better known for giving youth a chance so if it’s going to be a battle between the two London giants, the Gunners may just have the edge if McCarthy wants regular first team football.

Read more Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

What do you think, do you rate McCarthy? Would you like to see him join your club this summer? Get involved in the comments section below.