Arsenal & Liverpool in hunt for AC Milan target

In order to instil an element of competition and depth in the midfield, The Sun – via a report published by Italian outlet Calciomercato – understands that Arsenal supposedly have their sights set on hijacking AC Milan’s swoop for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim’s Kerem Demirbay, although it’s surfaced that they’re not the only Premier League outfit which are tailing his signature.

Domestic rivals Liverpool are also allegedly keen on the 24-year-old German, who is most effective in a more advanced role in the centre of the park, however if the chasing trio are serious about landing his services, they’ll have to cough up Hoffenheim’s hefty valuation of €30m, a figure which is believed to be just the starting point.

Since joining Die Kraichgauer from Bundesliga counterparts Hamburger SV in the summer of 2016, Demirbay has become an integral cog in the set-up, particularly for Julian Nagelsmann this term, where he has managed to net twice, whilst supplying his teammates with five assists in just 23 outings.

Demirbay exhibits a dynamic approach to patrolling the middle of the park on a weekly basis, a willingness which has seen him earn two caps for the German national team, including a solitary goal, an offering which proves that he’s a highly effective playmaker with the ball under his spell.

The Gunners’ midfield regiment has lacked a creative spark in recent years, especially in Jack Wilshere’s absence. Demirbay is a professional with a studied eye for a killer pass and his timing both in or out of possession is tailor made for the English top-flight.