German football expert Raphael Honigstein has claimed that Arsenal are likely to retain their interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg at the end of the current campaign.
The north London side have strengthened their attack front over the past 12 months, and Honigstein has now suggested that the club were interested in signing Forsberg during the last summer transfer window.
Speaking on the Totally Football Podcast, via The Sun, the ESPN pundit revealed that there was indeed interest from Arsene Wenger’s side in the Sweden international, but Leipzig were not keen on the deal.
The 45-year-old added that the Gunners are likely to revive their pursuit of the Swede in the coming months despite the midfielder going through a lean patch with injuries and the loss of form, as a result.
“Emil Forsberg has been in and out of the (RB Leipzig) team with injuries, and they’ve really missed him a lot,” he said.
“He is still a guy who really wants to go to the Premier League. He was very upset when Arsenal’s offer was turned down straight away by Leipzig.
“I think (Arsenal) will come back in for him because he has got a lot of talent.”
Forsberg, 26, normally features in the number 10 role for the Bundesliga outfit, and it will be interesting to see whether the Gunners re-establish their interest after the arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January.
Aside from Mkhitaryan, the likes of Ozil and Jack Wilshere have been utilised in the attacking midfield role in different stages of the campaign, and Forsberg may probably have to share gametime, something which he may not be fond of.
Arsenal’s league campaign has been largely unsuccessful due to the failure to reinforce the backline significantly, and any supporter would surely want to see the club strengthen from the defence first before mulling over potential options in the forward department.
Arsene Wenger was particularly reluctant to pay a £25m fee for West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans during the winter transfer window, and the French tactician needs to express more intent on defensive signings for next season, if he stays at the helm.
