Gossip: Arsenal look to new Bale for ‘deep crisis’ solution

Matt Stead
Gareth Bale (midfielder; Real Madrid), Isco (midfielder; Real Madrid) in action during La Liga match between Real Madrid and Celta de Vigo at Santiago Bernabeu on May 13, 2018 in Madrid, Spain

Someone has ”taken the Bale role’ at Real Madrid, and Arsenal sense a transfer opportunity.

 

WOLVES SMELL WHAT DIVOCK IS COOKING
Depending on who you believe, it was Divock Origi who stopped Liverpool signing Timo Werner in the summer. The Belgian has played seven Premier League minutes since, reprising his regular role as an unused substitute as Jurgen Klopp chose not to call on his bench against Tottenham.

It was in the summer of 2019, soon after scoring a decisive second goal in the Champions League final against the same team, that Origi extended his Liverpool contract until 2024. It now seems as though he could be off as early as January.

Wolves are keeping tabs as they look to replace Raul Jimenez. Origi, who is roughly one-tenth of the striker the Mexican is, ‘may be allowed to leave’ in the winter, according to the Daily Mail.

Maxi Gomez is another potential target but they have wanted Origi since 2018. Newcastle, Club Brugge and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be interested.

 

MARC OF THE MAN
It could be worse: at least Origi is playing now and then. The same cannot be said for Manchester United outcast Marcos Rojo, who wants to stick around in the Premier League, but most certainly not Old Trafford.

Sheffield United have been linked with the centre-half for some time yet Newcastle find him to be an ‘appealing’ prospect. Steve Bruce is particularly taken by his ‘versatility’ as a possible option at left-back.

A couple of Spanish clubs are also in the running but Rojo is said to want to stay in England, while goalkeeper Sergio Romero is also in talks with a La Liga side, The Athletic report.

 

PANIC?! CALL THE ISCO
Real Madrid are probably not after either Rojo or Romero. But they do want to find a home for midfielder Isco, whose three league starts this season are not deemed to be enough.

Spanish newspaper Sport describe Isco’s predicament as having ‘taken the Bale role,’ which is not a compliment. He is therefore ‘starting to realise’ that he should probably go, with Juventus, Sevilla, Milan and Everton all interested.

But Arsenal are also mentioned in the midst of their ‘deep crisis’. Houssem Aouar is said to be ‘an option’ for the north London side but Real also want him, so some sort of arrangement could be reached for Isco to join the Gunners.

It would not be for free in terms of either a fee or wages. Yet Isco ‘has decided to go in January’ and Arsenal could do with someone of his ilk.