Mikel Arteta has again been told clearly why Joshua Kimmich should be Arsenal’s Thomas Partey replacement. With the expectation remaining that the Ghana international will leave Emirates Stadium this summer, the Gunners need to strengthen in midfield.
A plethora of names have already been linked to Arsenal with Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Zubimendi and Amadou Onana all long-term targets. Youssouf Fofana and Mikel Merino, meanwhile, are new targets for the Gunners with Kimmich, who could be available for as little as €40million (£33m), seen as a dream option.
However, that could become a reality with it seen as entirely possible the versatile 29-year-old leaves Bayern Munich.
Bavarians are not planning to extend his contract, which expires in 2025, with new manager Vincent Kompany having other plans for his midfield.
It has also been claimed that Kimmich would only consider joining Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid or Barcelona if he leaves Germany. Considering Kimmich’s stance on a move to Arsenal and Arteta’s transfer priority, it would make complete sense for the Gunners to register an interest especially with his ability to play at right-back.
With that in mind, William Gallas, formerly of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham has made his thoughts on Kimmich joining one of his old clubs perfectly clear while also revealing his excitement over a possible partnership forming with Declan Rice.
“Joshua Kimmich is the perfect replacement for Thomas Partey,” he told Gambling Zone. “He can also play in midfield and right-back and I think if he signs for Arsenal he will play in the middle.
He has the quality and experience to add a lot to Arsenal. He will need to adapt to the Premier League and I think he has the quality to do it – given what he’s done for Bayern in his career. Kimmich is technically very good and him in a midfield with Rice could be something special for Arsenal.”
