Three midfielders Arsenal should target as Locatelli alternatives

The
only
thing
standing
in
the
way
for
his
move
to
the
Old
Lady
is
the
Serie
A
club’s
financial
woes
which
keeps
the
Gunners’ hopes
alive.

But,
Arsenal
boss
Mikel
Arteta
is
now
believed
to
be
looking
at
alternatives
for
the
European
Championship
2020
winner
as
he
looks
to
revive
the
fortunes
of
the
North
London
club.

Here,
we
look
at
three
potential
alternatives
for
the
Italian
international.

Denis
Zakaria
–
Borussia
Monchengladbach

An
in-demand
midfielder
and
also
a
long-term
target
of
the
Gunners,
Denis
Zakaria
is
believed
to
be
up
for
grabs
and
that
too
at
a
bargain
price.
The
Borussia
Monchengladbach
star
was
valued
at
around
£50
million
last
summer
and
Arsenal
were
keen
on
his
signature
at
that
time.
However,
following
an
injury-ravaged
season,
the
Swiss
international
has
seen
his
asking
price
drop
significantly
and
it
seems
likely
that
he
will
eventually
move
this
summer.
Reportedly
available
for
just
£17
million
right
now,
it
is
a
wonder
why
the
Gunners
are
yet
to
make
a
move
for
the
24-year-old
and
with
the
likes
of
Roma,
Atalanta
and
Spurs
all
in
the
race
for
the
Swiss
midfield
general,
Arsenal
must
act
soon.

James
Ward-Prowse
–
Southampton

A
player
who
has
been
constantly
delivering
over
the
past
few
seasons
and
still
being
let
down
by
his
teammates,
Ward-Prowse
seems
to
be
keen
on
a
new
challenge
and
aged
26
now,
it
is
ideal
time
for
him
to
make
a
step
up
from
the
St
Mary’s
Stadium.
Aston
Villa
have
been
strongly
linked
with
the
England
international,
but
the
Saints
are
desperate
to
keep
hold
of
their
star
skipper.
Ward-Prowse
has
everything
in
his
locker
to
improve
the
Arsenal
midfield
thanks
to
his
creativity,
leadership
and
his
set-piece
ability
is
second
to
none
in
the
Premier
League.
Already
proven
in
the
Premier
League,
the
Southampton
captain
is
a
low-risk
investment
and
with
most
of
their
transfers
having
gone
wrong
in
recent
years,
Ward-Prowse
will
be
a
good
addition
to
the
Emirates.

Houssem
Aouar
–
Olympique
Lyon

Just
like
Zakaria,
Houssem
Aouar
is
another
name
the
Arsenal
fans
will
be
familiar
with.
The
Frenchman
has
been
long
linked
with
a
move
to
the
Premier
League
and
the
Gunners
as
well
as
Liverpool
have
been
long-term
admirers
of
the
Olympique
Lyon
midfielder.
A
technically
gifted
midfielder,
Aouar
could
be
like
a
breath
of
fresh
air
in
the
Arsenal
midfield
area
that
is
desperately
craving
for
creativity.
The
23-year-old
is
also
reportedly
available
at
a
cut-price
which
makes
him
perfect
for
Arsenal
given
the
financial
situation
of
the
North
London
club
right
now.