Arsenal scouted former City ace Ivan Ilic in double transfer mission

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Arsenal have scouted Hellas Verona midfielder Ivan Ilic this season, according to reports. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta knows the player from his time as a coach at Manchester City.

Ilic joined City from Red Star Belgrade in the summer of 2017. He was immediately loaned back to Red Star and also had spells at FK Zemun and NAC Breda.

The 21-year-old never played a game for City and left to join Verona, initially on loan, in 2020 before making the move permanent a year later for a fee of around £7million. But Arteta clearly remembers Ilic from his time as assistant to Pep Guardiola before he took the Arsenal job in late 2019.

Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claims Arsenal sent scouts to watch Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in September. But part of the mission was also to watch Ilic.

Lazio beat Verona 2-0 in the Serie A clash, with both players playing the full 90 minutes. Ilic would be a younger option for Arsenal, as he doesn’t turn 22 until March, while Milinkovic-Savic is 28 in February.

Ilic is a defensive midfielder and could provide competition and cover for Thomas Partey if Arsenal were to push through with their interest. He has become a key player for Verona since joining, making 72 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals.

Ilic is a full Serbia international but just made one appearance at the World Cup in Qatar. He came off the bench as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Brazil.

At the time of his move to Verona, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that City did not have a buyback clause in the sale of Ilic. Lazio were reported in Italian media to be interested in signing Ilic in the summer.

However, an agreement was unable to be reached on a transfer fee. Ilic’s current contract does not expire until 2026.

DON’T MISS
Arsenal have ideal shirt number for Mudryk as Gunners prepare new offer
Arsenal boss Arteta ‘prefers to sign different La Liga star’ amid Felix doubts
Liverpool braced for ‘sad exodus’ as star tipped to exit after Gakpo transfer

Arsenal are in the market for midfield reinforcements but potentially not until the summer. The priority for Arteta in January is to strengthen out wide and in attack.

Mykhaylo Mudryk is the top winger target for the north Londoners. Shakhtar Donetsk have already turned down an offer worth up to £55m.

Arsenal are also open to signing a striker following the injury to Gabriel Jesus. Eddie Nketiah is the only fit striker available to Arteta.

Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our new Facebook group by clicking here

Source: Read Full Article