Arsenal In Talks Over Spanish Midfielder But Face Stiff Competition From Chelsea

With the January transfer window now open for business clubs will be working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Arsenal and Chelsea are linked with a Spanish winger.

There has been very little movement in the transfer window so far but it appears there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes with the Mirror reporting today that Arsenal are in talks with Atletico Madrid midfielder Sual Niguez but will face stiff competition from Chelsea – who are also showing a keen interest.

Niguez may not be a name that’s familiar to many fans here in England but he’s highly-rated in Spain and has been impressing while on loan at Rayo Vallacano this season.

It appears he may have caught the eye of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger with the Mirror claiming that Arsenal have already held talks with the 19-year-old’s representatives about a move to the Emirates and are hoping to agree a deal this month.

However, it seems Wenger isn’t the only one who’s interested in the talented defensive midfielder with the newspaper suggesting that Blues boss Jose Mourinho is also keen and will have his scouts watch the youngster in action today against Getafe ahead of a potential bid.

The report states that Niguez is keen to play in the Premier League and will push for a move when Arsenal and Chelsea come calling, with Atletico tipped to sell if the price is right due to their current financial problems.

So Arsenal and Chelsea are apparently set to battle it out for this up-and-coming Spanish under-21 midfielder, but how would he fit in at either of the two London clubs?

Arsenal are currently well-stocked in the middle of the park with Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey all fighting to fill the two central midfield positions this season, so if Wenger does end up winning the race for Niguez’s signature, I don’t see him getting much playing time at the Emirates any time soon.

He’d more than likely be regarded as a long-term successor to Arteta – who at 31 is approaching his twilight years – while there’s also the possibility Arsenal could buy him before loaning him out again for the rest of the season.

Likewise at Chelsea, Niguez would face competition from the likes of John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Ramires and Michael Essien is he was to make the move to Stamford Bridge, so again he’d either have to be prepared to wait his turn for first team football, or go back out on loan to continue his development.

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