Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsenal, West Ham transfer policies get glowing praise as target labelled the next Frenkie de Jong

Bologna midfielder Jerdy Schouten

Arsenal and West Ham have been told why they should sign a Serie A midfielder, with one pundit effectively calling him the next Frenkie de Jong.

Netherlands international De Jong is on closing in on a Manchester United move. Reports are swirling about his future, stating the transfer is at several different stages.

According to reliable source Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have bid £59.8million to sign the midfielder from Barcelona. The Spanish club have pushed this offer back, although the Red Devils are likely to return with an improved one.

Like United, Arsenal and West Ham may look to improve their respective midfields this summer.

Arsenal’s signing of Albert Sambi Lokonga hasn’t gone to plan. And with Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny both 29, they could probably do with bringing in younger options to make sure the future of the club is in safe hands.

West Ham, meanwhile, have a strong midfield two in Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. But with another campaign in Europe coming up next season, David Moyes desperately needs reinforcements.

This is where Jerdy Schouten comes in. The 25-year-old had a great season with Bologna in Serie A after returning from injury.

His top displays in Italy saw him get called up to the Netherlands squad recently. And he won his first cap during the last-gasp victory over Wales on Wednesday.

Jerdy Schouten on Arsenal, West Ham radars

West Ham have previously been linked with Schouten as a possible replacement for Rice. But with the Englishman looking like he is staying, Schouten could arrive as a backup option instead.

The Daily Mail claims Arsenal would like to sign Schouten too.

And former Tottenham player Rafael van der Vaart reckons the central midfielder is on his way to becoming the next De Jong.

“He is really one for the future, that is Frenkie de Jong quality,” Van Der Vaart said.

“Frenkie de Jong is of course of a different level, but you can see his high potential splashing off with him. It’s great to see him.”

Schouten is demonstrating his class with Bologna and is now a full international, which will only enhance his reputation.

The player would be a great addition to the West Ham squad. And he probably wouldn’t cost too much either.

But Arsenal are also looking at Youri Tielemans. The Belgian’s Leicester contract expires in 2023, which means he will be available for relatively cheap this summer.

Tielemans would be a better option for Arsenal than Schouten given his prior experience in the Premier League and in European competition. Unfortunately for West Ham, they don’t have the pull power to get near Tielemans’ signature.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph claim Arsenal are in the mix to sign an 11-goal Leeds attacker.