Exclusive: Brazilian midfielder likely to have been “discussed” as Arsenal transfer option, says expert



Arsenal are likely to have discussed Atalanta midfielder Ederson as a potential transfer option, according to Gunners writer and expert Charles Watts.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside, Watts provided some insight into the Arsenal links with Ederson, suggesting he’s not heard anything that concrete yet, but that it would make sense for the Brazil international to have been considered at some point due to the club’s needs in that area of the pitch.

Watts notes that Thomas Partey is facing an uncertain future, with the Ghana international not getting any younger and heading towards the end of his current contract, while he also describes Jorginho’s future as being in doubt.

Ederson has shone in Serie A and helped his club win the Europa League last season, so it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see the 25-year-old making the step up to an elite club at some point in the near future.

Ederson transfer: Could we see the Atalanta star move to Arsenal?

Ederson in action against Real Madrid (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)

Arsenal have invested a lot in new midfielders in recent times, with Declan Rice joining last summer while Mikel Merino was a new addition this year, though Ederson would add yet more quality and improve Mikel Arteta’s squad depth in that department.

Watts seems to think there’s something to the Ederson links, even if it’s perhaps a bit early to be talking about this as being particularly concrete.

“Ederson’s star is rising with Atalanta and Arsenal had an opportunity to get a close up view of his talents when the two teams met in the Champions League a few weeks ago,” Watts said.

“The Brazilian is being linked with a number of clubs at the moment, including Arsenal, and that’s no real surprise given the way he has been performing in Italy under Gian Piero Gasperini.

“Arsenal are looking at midfield options ahead of the summer, with the futures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey very much in doubt right now and I’m sure Ederson’s name would have been discussed given the form he has been in of late.


 

“But I can’t say for certain whether he is a player they are seriously considering as an option right now. It’s just too early at the moment for that. I’ve certainly not heard anything myself.”

He added: “Ederson is clearly a very accomplished player, he’s shown that with Atalanta and he’s now starting to get some opportunities with Brazil as well.

“Whether that’s enough to convince Arsenal to join the race for him, however, we’ll have to wait and see.”