EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal eye LaLiga starlet as Partey replacement

Arsenal are closely monitoring Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume as a potential replacement for Thomas Partey, FootballTransfers understands.

Agoume is a highly rated 22-year-old midfielder, who has drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba due to his physicality, versatility and technical skill.

The Frenchman, who started his career with Sochaux before moving to Inter Milan, has attracted interest from top clubs, including Barcelona, whose scouts watched him impress against Atletico Madrid last week.

However, according to our sources, Arsenal are ahead in the race to sign him, as Agoume is said to favour a move to the Premier League.

Agoume, who joined Sevilla in the summer for €4 million after spending the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €7.6m.

Lucien Agoume: Arsenal’s next great midfielder?

The Gunners are actively seeking a young defensive midfielder to future-proof their squad, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho entering the twilight of their careers. Indeed, both are out of contract at the end of the season as things stand.

Agoume’s ability to operate as a controller, defensive shield, or even as an advanced playmaker aligns perfectly with Arsenal’s requirements, while he is also likely to be available at an attractive price.

Data analytics firm SciSports rate him among the best-performing midfielders in LaLiga this season, with his technical attributes in particular shining. He is excelling in terms of his passing, in particular.

Agoume vs LaLiga midfielders: 2024/25

His tactical intelligence, strong tackling and composure under pressure make him the perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s system.

The fact that he shares the same agent as compatriot William Saliba could further strengthen Arsenal’s chances of securing his signature.

Arsenal’s interest in Agoume reflects their forward-thinking recruitment, and with his potential and Premier League-ready skill set, he is undoubtedly a name to watch in January and beyond.