Andrea Berta wanted to sign Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume instead of current no.6

According to rumors, Andrea Berta, the sports director of Arsenal, preferred to recruit a different No. 6 during the summer transfer window rather than Martin Zubimendi.

In July, the Gunners spent £60 million to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, a Spanish team, but things may have gone rather differently.

The Athletic claims that prior to Berta taking up his position last year, the terms of Arsenal’s contract with the defensive midfielder were finalized.

According to the newspaper, the Arsenal sporting director preferred “other candidates” for the No. 6 position if Berta had “been in situ earlier.” Although it’s unknown who alternative No. 6 Berta would have preferred to sign, Arsenal was connected to many defensive midfield players prior to the Zubimendi trade being made public.

Pablo Barrios of Atletico Madrid was mentioned by several sources as a possible substitute for Zubimendi by the Gunners. Lucien Agoume of Sevilla was reportedly included on Arsenal’s list of contenders.

Andrea Berta wanted to sign alternative to Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal was said to be one of the teams interested in signing Adam Wharton, a No. 6 player from Crystal Palace. Before Sunday’s loss to Liverpool, Arsenal defeated Manchester United and Leeds United, with Zubimendi starting all three of their Premier League games this season.

Stewart Robson, a former midfielder for Arsenal, is worried that his former team may have overpaid for Zubimendi and questions if the 26-year-old has the passing range to help overcome resolute defenders.

Robson said, “He’s not dynamic,” to ESPN. “I’ve done commentary on La Liga, and I’ll make a small joke about how many times he’s going to pass the ball forward, but he plays the holding role and will keep it pretty nicely.”

He seldom forwards the ball; he merely keeps it moving without making any penetrating or goal-scoring passes. You’re spending a lot of money on a guy who can only keep things going, and there are plenty of players who are capable of doing that.

Last month, Jamie Carragher accused Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, of undermining Liverpool’s attempt to get Zubimendi.