- Arsenal, Liverpool reportedly among several clubs chasing Demirbay
- Both clubs could have a problem in midfield beyond this summer
- Highly-rated ace has a €32m release clause in his current contract
- READ MORE: Arsenal face fresh contract headache, £350k-a-week Ozil deal could have knock-on effect
Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly set to clash in the transfer market along with a handful of other European clubs for Hoffenheim midfielder Kerem Demirbay this summer.
As noted by Sport Bild, the 24-year-old ace has a €32m release clause in his contract, and so it will be an expensive swoop for whichever team lands his signature.
Everton, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are also specifically mentioned as interested parties, and so evidently he’s impressed many watching eyes with his form in the Bundesliga while also breaking through at senior level for Germany on the international stage.
Demirbay has scored two goals and provided five assists in 23 appearances so far this season but is currently sidelined through injury.
However, as per talkSPORT, it’s suggested that both Arsenal and Liverpool are willing to meet his asking price this summer and have already had discussions with his agent over a move.
In turn, it remains to be seen who is able to secure a deal, with both sides arguably in need of midfield reinforcements with key figures such as Emre Can and Jack Wilshere set to see their current contracts expire at the end of the season.
Should one or both opt to leave this summer, that would leave a hole in midfield for Arsene Wenger or Jurgen Klopp, and it seems as though Demirbay could be the solution, albeit competition is evidently fierce given the list mentioned above.
Although, with Demirbay’s natural role being a more attacking midfielder, it’s questionable as to whether that’s the kind of player Arsenal need.
With Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette scrapping for places, and with not enough defensive midfield quality or solidity in the backline as reflected in their poor Premier League defensive record, there’s a case that Arsenal should be looking elsewhere.