Arsenal Set to Offer £69m to Sign PSG Star – Report | OneFootball

Arsenal Ready to Test PSG Resolve Over Warren Zaire-Emery

Caught Offside report that Arsenal and Manchester City are among the clubs paying close attention to the future of Warren Zaire-Emery, with an €80m move being touted as a potential trigger point. The 19-year-old midfielder is no longer a guaranteed starter under Luis Enrique, despite previously being billed as one of Europe’s brightest midfield prospects.

PSG’s Champions League success last season came with Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz as the preferred trio in midfield. That decision has not gone unnoticed by Zaire-Emery and those monitoring his situation.

As quoted in the original report, a source made it clear that the player wants assurances over his role.

“There’s uncertainty around his (Zaire-Emery’s) situation. He wants clarity over his role, and if he isn’t satisfied then he knows there are a lot of other top clubs who’d give him far more playing time.”

Another line from the same report echoed PSG’s current stance.

“PSG aren’t actively looking to sell, they know how good he is, but they have to be realistic as well. €80m could give them something to think about.”

€80m for a teenager with limited starts may seem steep on the surface, but this is now the going rate for elite potential. Arsenal have already gone big on midfield in recent windows, with Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Christian Norgaard arriving to bolster depth. That has raised the question of whether midfield remains a priority.

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Arsenal’s Long-Term Planning in Focus

The feeling inside the club will likely be that elite opportunities should never be dismissed. Zaire-Emery has been described privately as a “generational profile”, someone capable of operating as both a deep controller and right-sided advanced midfielder. Flexibility has become a key requirement in Mikel Arteta’s system, and players who can morph across roles are valued highly.

It is also worth considering the age profile of Arsenal’s midfield. While the current options are strong, someone who can develop behind senior operators could preserve squad balance for years. A long-term duel with Manchester City for signatures has become a familiar theme in recent transfer windows, and this could be another one of those quiet power battles.

Manchester City Lurking in the Background

City will likely position themselves as the cleaner sporting proposition. Unlike Arsenal, there is a clear pathway for a young midfielder to grow rotation minutes quickly, something that might weigh heavily if Zaire-Emery chooses to leave Paris. The danger for Arsenal is committing time and effort to a deal only for Pep Guardiola’s side to swoop in late.

Decision Lies With the Player

This one will come down to how forcefully Zaire-Emery decides to push. If he leans towards a fresh challenge, both English clubs will be ready. If PSG offer clarity, €80m might remain hypothetical. Arsenal and City will keep circling, waiting for the trigger.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the type of move that signals long-term thinking. Yes, Zubimendi, Merino and Norgaard have already arrived, but none of them carry the same future upside as Warren Zaire-Emery. Bringing in another top midfielder should not be seen as overstocking, it should be seen as future-proofing in an era where squad depth decides titles.

Imagine having Declan Rice anchoring midfield with Zaire-Emery evolving beside him over the next five years. That is a spine capable of matching Manchester City for longevity. Fans have seen how quickly injuries and dips in form can derail good momentum. Adding someone this talented forces higher standards across the group.

The fee will scare some, but Arsenal are now operating in a bracket where €80m is the reality for elite talent. Manchester City will always be lurking, ready to pounce when Arsenal hesitate. This time, supporters would want the club to act decisively rather than settling for second place in yet another top-level pursuit.

If the player is gettable and genuinely wants Premier League football, Arsenal must move aggressively. Opportunities like this do not come twice.