Scouts deployed: Arsenal keen on winger from Champions League regulars – report
By Danny Wright
Arsenal have deployed scouts to keep close tabs on Basel winger Mohamed Elyounoussi, according to a report.
News outlet HITC claims on their website that the Gunners are interested in signing the Norway international and sent their recruitment experts to cast their rule over him in the opening fixture of the Swiss Super League on Saturday.
Elyounoussi, 22, featured for 68 minutes of Basel’s surprising 2-0 loss against BSC Young Boys, however he was instrumental in helping his club win the league title last season.
He scored ten goals and supplied 13 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions for Basel, who are regular competitors in the Champions League.
Arsenal are said to be “well aware” of Elyounoussi’s talents after he played against them twice in the group stages of last year’s competition.
However the eight-times Norway international didn’t manage to replicate his league form on continental level as his side slumped to a 2-0 loss at the Emirates and a 4-1 loss at home.
HITC reports that Leicester and Southampton are also interested in Morocco-born Elyounoussi, who has previously had spells with Sarpsborg and Molde.
Football Insider Verdict
Arsenal have already made good progress this summer in securing the services of both Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac, but they still have some way to go in order to strengthen themselves enough to mount a serious Premier League title challenge. The Gunners already have great options in the areas that Elyounoussi plays with Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott already on their books. A move for the Norwegian would be a bit of a surprise considering he has limited experience of playing in a top league. The Swiss Super League is very much a one-horse race every season due to Basel’s superiority so a switch to the Emirates would present him with a bit of a shock and he perhaps won’t be able to perform anywhere near as good.
In other Arsenal news, the Gunners are in pole position to land this international midfielder.
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