Report: Arsenal could be set to battle Chelsea in the race for midfielder | OneFootball

Arsenal Transfer News: Gjivai Zechiël Emerges as Serious Feyenoord Midfield Target

Arsenal are among the clubs tracking Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai Zechiël after an outstanding opening to the 2026-27 campaign, with Caught Offside reporting that Chelsea are also monitoring the 22-year-old closely.

The Dutch midfielder has returned to Rotterdam following encouraging loan spells at Sparta Rotterdam and Utrecht, and his development now appears to have accelerated sharply. Within a matter of weeks, Zechiël has become central to Feyenoord’s midfield and, in the process, strengthened his standing among Premier League recruitment teams.

Those watching him will see a profile that is increasingly in demand, energy, progressive passing, technical security and a growing impact in the final third. Pelle Clement’s description of Zechiël as a player with “football intelligence” feels especially relevant when set against his early-season output.

Gjivai Zechiël attracting Arsenal and Chelsea interest

According to the report, “Arsenal and Chelsea have watched Zechiël closely ahead of the January transfer window”, while Feyenoord have made it clear they do not intend to let him go for a modest fee. That stance is understandable.

Photo: IMAGO

Lille tested the waters in the summer and were turned away. Their final proposal, said to be worth €17 million including bonuses, was rejected. Zechiël later acknowledged that interest had been genuine, but also made clear he was content to stay where he was. With form now matching promise, Feyenoord’s leverage has only improved.

Feyenoord midfielder numbers explain growing transfer buzz

The raw data is compelling. Zechiël has recorded five goals and four assists in seven Eredivisie appearances, while creating 19 chances and completing 89% of his passes. He has also started all seven league games.

For Arsenal, that blend of control and incision will stand out. The “89% passing accuracy” points to reliability in possession, while “nine direct goal contributions from midfield” underlines genuine attacking influence. For a player still only 22, that combination naturally draws attention from clubs looking to strengthen both the present and the future.

January transfer window could hinge on Feyenoord valuation

The next question concerns valuation. If €17 million was not enough before this surge, a price closer to €30 million now looks entirely plausible. Feyenoord are under no obvious pressure to sell, and that gives them a strong negotiating position if interest hardens into bids.

From Arsenal’s perspective, this feels like the sort of situation to monitor carefully. Zechiël’s profile is rising, his production is difficult to ignore, and the market tends to move quickly when multiple Premier League clubs are circling. January may depend on how aggressive Arsenal choose to be, but his name is now firmly one to watch.

Our View

From an Arsenal perspective, this report is easy to warm to. Zechiël sounds like the type of midfielder the club should be studying closely, someone young enough to develop further, but productive enough already to believe he could handle a step up. Five goals and four assists in seven league matches from midfield is not normal output, and when that comes with “football intelligence” and 89% passing accuracy, it becomes even more appealing.

The attractive part here is the balance in his game. Arsenal often benefit from midfielders who can receive under pressure, move the ball quickly and still affect matches around the box. Zechiël appears to offer that. The stat about 19 chances created is especially interesting because it suggests vision and courage, not just tidy recycling.

There would, of course, be understandable caution. The Eredivisie can be a difficult league from which to judge exact Premier League readiness, and a fee around €30 million would mean Arsenal must be convinced this is more than a hot streak. Still, the age profile, the numbers and the apparent interest from Chelsea all hint at a player whose value could rise very quickly.

If Arsenal are serious, there is a case for moving before the market becomes crowded. This feels like one of those deals that looks expensive in January and smart by the summer.