{"id":294170,"date":"2023-11-16T14:11:28","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=294170"},"modified":"2023-11-16T14:11:28","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:11:28","slug":"mikel-arteta-driving-force-behind-arsenal-bid-to-sign-third-man-city-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/soccer\/mikel-arteta-driving-force-behind-arsenal-bid-to-sign-third-man-city-player\/","title":{"rendered":"Mikel Arteta ‘driving force’ behind Arsenal bid to sign third Man City player"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly \u2018driving\u2019 a move for Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips in the January transfer window. Arteta is keen to add a new midfielder to his ranks with Thomas Partey\u2019s injuries leaving the Spaniard short of options in the middle of the pitch.<\/p>\n

Phillips was a \u00a342million arrival at City in 2022 but has struggled for game time under Pep Guardiola. Featuring in just 379 Premier League minutes since the start of last season, the former Leeds man could be set for a premature departure from the top-flight champions.<\/p>\n

Arsenal are in need of a new defensive midfielder due to Partey\u2019s injuries, with a groin problem now troubling the Ghanaian. It is reported that deals for either Aston Villa\u2019s Douglas Luiz and Real Sociedad\u2019s Martin Zubimendi have been discarded due to the likely huge cost of both moves.<\/p>\n

The Gunners will instead target a much cheaper option. According to TeamTalk, Arteta is \u2018driving\u2019 a move for the 27-year-old England star Phillips but there has been little actual progress over a move.<\/p>\n

Fluminense starlet Andre Trindade is also believed to be a target, although the 22-year-old Brazilian has been strongly linked with Manchester United. Arsenal will reportedly continue to track Belgian teen star Arthur Vermeeren during the international break.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Tottenham ‘willing’ to sell Hojbjerg to ruin Arsenal and Liverpool plans[GOSSIP] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Phillips could be available in January at a bargain price and Arsenal have a good relationship with their Premier League rivals having signed Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus and manager Arteta. City boss Guardiola has left the door open for the combative ace to leave the club.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never change,\u201d Guardiola said after being told that he has previously never stood in the way of a player who wants to leave. \u201cI said a few months ago, but after that they have to agree with the club. My opinion is my opinion. The last word belongs to the club.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he decides to [leave], then do it. If the agreement is not done, then he stays. He\u2019s behaving incredibly. One of the most generous players I\u2019ve ever seen \u2013 honestly, as I don\u2019t want to compliment when players don\u2019t play matches. Others are maybe problems in locker room \u2013 it\u2019s completely the opposite.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time he goes to national team with Gareth [Southgate] I\u2019m the happiest man in the world. When he plays it\u2019s a benefit for me. I don\u2019t know what will happen with Kalvin because when the transfer window is open, nobody knows.\u201d<\/p>\n