Arsenal Presented with “Unbelievable” £47m Midfielder Comparable to Rice During Discussions

He’s like Rice: Arsenal offered “unbelievable” £47m midfielder during talks

With the summer transfer window now closed, one could assume that the January window might be less eventful for Arsenal. Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta worked together to invest significant funds in preparation for the 2025/26 season, and it was indeed necessary.

While opinions are still forming on the arrivals of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke, the improvement in defensive depth has proven to be essential. There has been considerable discussion regarding the Gunners’ enhanced squad depth, especially given that nearly every player in the defense has experienced injuries at some stage this season. As they approach the winter transfer window, there’s an expectation for even greater reinforcement.

Arsenal pursuing former Premier League midfielder

Every position was addressed during the summer as Arsenal looked to strengthen for their title challenge. Nevertheless, the midfield is currently the area with the least depth. Declan Rice was unavailable for Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa on Tuesday night due to an injury, highlighting the team’s need for additional support in that role.

Rice is irreplaceable, but having another player to alleviate some of his workload would be beneficial. This notion also applies to fellow midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has played almost every minute since joining from Real Sociedad in the summer. One possible target, as reported by Caught Offside, is Ruben Neves, previously of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Portuguese playmaker left Molineux for the lucrative offers in Saudi Arabia back in 2023 but is now reportedly eager to make a return to European football. The report suggests that Neves has been made available to several top-tier clubs, Arsenal included, during discussions. However, the transfer officials at Emirates Stadium have yet to provide a definitive response.

Other sources suggest he might be obtainable for as low as £15m, considering his contract is set to expire this summer. This represents a substantial reduction from the £47m that Al-Hilal invested to acquire him.

How Ruben Neves compares to Declan Rice

If Arteta and the management decide to secure Neves’ services in January, he would complement both Rice and Zubimendi perfectly. In many aspects, the former Wolves player shares similarities with a classic Cesc Fabregas.

He is adept at functioning as a deep-lying playmaker, demonstrating exceptional passing range and a knack for regulating the pace of the game. However, he also possesses the capability to surge forward and make an impact in the attacking third. Not just limited to being a prolific passer, Neves is also known for his powerful long-range shooting. Out of the 13 non-penalty goals he managed for Wolves in the Premier League, a notable nine were struck from outside the box. This is an area where Arsenal needs to enhance their performance.

It seems only Rice exhibits comparable shooting ability within Arteta’s squad. Recall those two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid? Those moments are hard to forget. Both players have cultivated a reputation for being specialists from set pieces. Although Rice has not netted from a dead-ball situation since those magical free-kicks against Madrid, he has developed into one of the top corner takers in Europe.

Similarly, Neves is quite skilled when it comes to taking set pieces. The 28-year-old has netted seven direct free-kicks throughout his career, three of which were in the Premier League, with his latest coming during a Saudi Pro League match in November.

While Rice has undeniably evolved into a more comprehensive midfielder since Neves played in the Premier League, analytics from the 2022/23 season indicate they share even more similarities beyond their set-piece abilities.

According to FBRef, the second player in the Premier League who most closely resembles Neves that season was indeed Rice. The statistics illustrate why. At that point, they had comparable goals and assists per 90 minutes. The most intriguing similarity lies in their passing. Throughout that season, the number of key and progressive passes they created was strikingly similar. Their shot-creating and defensive contributions were also quite alike. There’s a reason he has been labeled as an “unbelievable technician” by analyst Raj Chohan.

Of course, Rice has emerged as more of a dynamic force in midfield today, yet Neves certainly exhibits numerous traits akin to Arsenal’s record signing. Consider him a blend of Zubimendi and the club’s no.41. Being in the prime of his career, the opportunity to incorporate Neves into the squad as they seek additional depth feels almost too advantageous to ignore.

Published: 2026-01-01 13:15:00

source: www.footballfancast.com