A free-agent midfielder named Xeka, formerly of Lille, is being offered to Premier League clubs like Arsenal. Manager Mikel Arteta admitted that he still needs additional players after Mohamed Elneny was ruled out with a major thigh injury and multiple transfer deadline day bids for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz failed.
Thomas Party has also missed time with an injury, but he has reportedly returned to training and might make his season debut this weekend against Brantford. It has been verified to All Football League by insiders that the Gunners are looking into the free agent market in order to bolster Arteta’s squad before the transfer window reopens in January.
The 27-year-old Xeka, who left Lille in the summer after making 144 appearances for the French club, is arguably the best midfield asset still looking for a team. Several clubs in the Premier League have been contacted by his agents about the possibility of an emergency signing.
Arsenal are one of the clubs that has been approached, but they are still considering all of their options before making a final decision. Xeka is reported to have postponed making a decision after receiving interest from many Premier League clubs in addition to Rennes, a French club with whom he has discussed terms.
Mousa Dembele, formerly of Tottenham, left Guangzhou City earlier this year and is now a free agent, joining the ranks of Adel Taraabt, Mehdi Abeid, Nemanja Radoja, Fabian Delph, and other options.
