Arsenal manager Unai Emery is keen to recruit Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega in the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
The Gunners boss worked with Banega at Valencia and Sevilla, and reportedly tried to sign him back in the summer.
Fans on Twitter had mixed reactions to the club’s pursuit of the 30-year-old:
Banega would be a very solid signing #afc
— Danny Allen (@Dannyallen_100) 27 December 2018
Yessssss my dream of Ever Banega playing for @Arsenal might just come true after all ?????? #afc #COYG #YaGunnersYa pic.twitter.com/ZujEl0mwIn
— Cute Smile Gooner©™✊??⚪ (@Toocool105) 27 December 2018
Is a 30 year old Ever Banega really worth an £18m upgrade on a 27 year old Aaron Ramsey? #AFC
— Sean Twomey (@MrTwomey) 26 December 2018
Maybe Elneny is leaving, Banega would make sense then #afc
— germanGooner (@germanGooner) 26 December 2018
I like Banega a lot. Followed his career from early on. Valencia, Inter, Sevilla etc. Experienced, very intelligent, rarely wasts a pass and tenacious. Would be a great addition. #afc
— Liam van Wyk (@One_RP_McMurphy) 26 December 2018
He really should be prioritizing a CB first
— Gozienna (@Anams_11) 26 December 2018
1. Pace & energy, he is just like özil on it, at 30, he is not a player that will be comfortable in the physical games of the premier…
2. His age, we can find this profile in a younger player.
3. Why not cesc? Almost the same player but have an story with Arsenal!— Daniel Dávila (@Jdanieldavilah) 26 December 2018
Isn’t he like 40?
— Dan (@dannybfmv) 26 December 2018
Our priority should be strengthening our back line. We are vulnerable at the back, and cant deal with long balls properly. If I had the power to bring in 3 players, it would be 2 good https://t.co/m4f54WbW3h and a wide player.
— Nelson Emeka Arsenal (@Nelson_Emeka448) 26 December 2018
Banega’s age certainly doesn’t count in his favour but with the midfielder’s release clause believed to be only £18m, it may be seen as a good deal.
Still, many supporters believe Arsenal’s focus should lie elsewhere. The Gunners have looked suspect defensively in recent weeks and recruiting another centre-back would seem to be a priority.
Adding pace in wide areas is something the squad would also benefit from, and while Banega does offer some more creativity centrally, it isn’t something the team currently lack with the likes of Ozil and Ramsey still options in that position.
