Arsenal transfer news: Gunners dealt blow as £42m midfield target ‘agrees’ move to European giants

Arsenal's hunt for midfield reinforcements has suffered an unexpected setback up of what promises to beryllium different engaged summertime astatine the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta has been linked with respective cardinal midfield additions successful caller weeks arsenic helium looks to adhd extent and prime to his Premier League-winning squad.

However, a determination for long-standing target Morten Hjulmand present appears to beryllium each but over.

Arsenal people Morten Hjulmand agrees idiosyncratic presumption with Atletico Madrid

The Gunners' hopes of signing the Sporting CP skipper person taken a deed aft reports successful Portugal claimed helium has reached a preliminary statement implicit idiosyncratic presumption with Atletico Madrid.

The Denmark planetary has been admired by some Arsenal and Manchester City, with the Gunners viewing him arsenic an experienced midfield enactment susceptible of strengthening Arteta's motor room.

It's believed that Atletico are present preparing to unfastened ceremonial negotiations with Sporting aft agreeing the model of a woody with the player.

Sporting's stance has not changed, though - portion Hjulmand has a merchandise clause worthy astir €80 cardinal (£70 million), the Portuguese champions are expected to authorisation a merchantability for astir €50 cardinal (£42 million) if a suitable connection arrives.

Should the LaLiga giants onslaught an statement successful that terms range, past Mikel Arteta is apt to miss retired connected 1 of the midfielders the nine person monitored intimately passim the window.

A stroke to Mikel Arteta's transportation plans - but determination is amended retired there

Missing retired connected Hjulmand would undoubtedly correspond a setback, peculiarly fixed his enactment qualities, antiaircraft quality and acquisition astatine the highest level.

However, Arsenal are not abbreviated of alternatives, and determination is simply a beardown statement that a determination for Lille wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi could beryllium adjacent much beneficial successful the agelong run.

While Bouaddi would apt outgo person to £60 million, the Morocco planetary has emerged arsenic 1 of the breakout stars of the World Cup and possesses the method ability, composure and ceiling to make into 1 of Europe's elite midfielders.

At conscionable 18, helium besides fits Arsenal's strategy of gathering a squad susceptible of competing for years to come.

Hjulmand would person been a astute addition, but if Atletico bash implicit the deal, the northbound Londoners inactive person an accidental to pivot towards a younger subordinate with arguably an adjacent higher upside.

It would necessitate a bigger fiscal commitment, but Bouaddi could yet beryllium the much transformative signing for Arteta's evolving midfield.