Arsenal ‘very attentive’ as €15m midfield target nears move

Marc Roca TEAMtalk

Arsenal and Everton are ready to duel for the signature of Marc Roca, who is reportedly destined to leave Espanyol.

Roca has established himself as one of Spain’s most promising midfielders in recent years. However, his club have been relegated from La Liga, leading to questions over his future.

Given the financial implications of their relegation, and of course the wider context of the global climate, Espanyol are looking to raise funds. Selling Roca would be their best chance to gain the money they need.

With that in mind, Arsenal and Everton are pondering a move. According to Sport, the Premier League pair are “very attentive” to his situation.

AC Milan have already held talks for Roca, although Espanyol will not make a decision until they have a new manager. What’s more, Sport add that Arsenal, Everton and Real Madrid will make moves of their own if the Serie A side get close to a deal.

The price required to sign Roca will be somewhere around €15m. Espanyol have accepted that they won’t be able to demand his full €40m release clause.

The player himself is keen to make the next step, after missing out on a move to Bayern Munich last summer. An exit would benefit all parties, as Espanyol would be guaranteed a major profit, given that Roca was originally their own academy player, so did not cost them a transfer fee.

Roca started 35 times in the recently completed La Liga season. His contract expires in 2022.

 

Roca to partner Partey?

Roca is not the only La Liga midfielder Arsenal are looking at. Mikel Arteta also wants to reinforce his squad with Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey.

The Ghana international has emerged as the top target at the Emirates Stadium. However, Atletico are refusing to budge from the €50m value of his release clause.

And recent reports indicate that Arsenal have failed in their latest attempts to lower that price.

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