Arsenal 'perfectly aware' of £26m target at the Emirates | OneFootball

Arsenal have been looking at Juventus star Weston McKennie and other midfielders, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

At the same time, though, Jones doubts that the USA international is a top target for the Gunners this month.

Arsenal transfer news – Weston McKennie

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal are interested in McKennie as Mikel Arteta looks to bring in a new midfielder before the transfer window closes.

Leeds United, however, appear to be the club who are leading the race for the 24-year-old’s signature.

Writing for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano has stated that the Whites and McKennie have already agreed personal terms.

In terms of the potential transfer fee, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs wrote in his own column for the same outlet that Juventus are demanding around €30m (£26m).

What has Dean Jones said about Weston McKennie and Arsenal?

While Jones has hinted that Arsenal have considered McKennie, the journalist doubts he is at the top of their shortlist.

Speaking to GMS, he said: “They’re perfectly aware of what he’s capable of. Obviously, he’s a high-profile player, but they’ve been looking at other players, too, and I’m not sure that he was one of their top targets.”

Why are Arsenal looking at midfielders?

Central midfield is an area of the pitch where the Gunners could do with a bit more depth. Mohamed Elneny’s injury has seen Arteta lose cover for the likes of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.

Oleksandr Zinchenko can, of course, also operate in the middle of the park, but his main position now is left-back.

The above is probably why Arsenal are keen to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice.

According to multiple outlets, including The Guardian, the north London club have made the 24-year-old their top target.

However, with Rice not expected to be available until the summer, Arteta has to consider options like McKennie.

It will now be interesting to see whether the Spaniard brings a new midfielder to the Emirates. With Arsenal challenging for the title, you suspect that he is eager to do so. But if he is not sold on the former Schalke man and other options on the market, then the Gunners are going to have to get by with what they have got, with Albert Sambi Lokonga perhaps now in line to get more game time.

Will it be enough? Are the club willing to take the risk by not strengthening? These are the kind of questions Arsenal fans are likely to be asking right now.