Arsenal have started talks with Sevilla over a move for midfielder Lucien Agoume as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta look to prepare for life after Thomas Partey. With Partey set for the exit at the Emirates this summer, the Gunners are eyeing a younger, more robust operator in that position who also meets Arteta’s tactical requirements.
Agoumé, 22, is a defensive midfielder with a reputation for his ability to win balls and a sense of tactical awareness. He moved to Sevilla on a permanent basis in August 2024 after a six-month loan from Inter Milan, and he is under contract until 2028. It has confident signals to its scouts and believes it to be potential unfulfilled, despite relatively light minutes in Spain’s top division.
Sevilla are willing to sell Agoumé if they receive a reasonable offer, believed to be around £10–12 million. Arsenal view the Frenchman as a low-cost, high-reward signing who could gradually adapt to Premier League pace. The clubs have already held preliminary talks, and personal terms likely won’t cause issues.
🚨🗣 Arsenal closely monitoring situations around Sevilla young talented midfielder, Lucien Agoumé
🔸️Arsenal believe if Thomas Partey leaves, the 23 year old French U21 player could be a perfect fit to replace him.
📍Personally I think at the moment NO one is better than… pic.twitter.com/lXNB4zzpCq
Meanwhile, as Arsenal remain open to various possibilities in midfield, even those of the more eye-catching variety, the chase for Agoumé indicates an approach with multiple dimensions that fuses big-money purchases with those at a cut price. he Gunners want a midfield with enough legs to shuttle between domestic and European competition and Agoumé might be a smart acquisition to complement what they already have in the form of Declan Rice, Jorginho and Emile Smith Rowe deeper in midfield.
Agoumé’s playing style leads to obvious comparisons with Thomas Partey. They both play as the stopper in defensive midfield, protecting the back four plus one and building out of the back. But at 22, Lucien Agoume has more to offer for development and comes with fewer fitness concerns than the often-injured Thomas Partey, who missed large portions of last season.
Partey has become more of a peripheral figure in Arsenal’s system of late, and in particular since Declan Rice emerged as the heartbeat of the midfield. Indeed, Agoumé wouldn’t be a day-one starter, but Arteta looks for players he can develop into the system. The French midfielder has already shown glimpses of composure, racking up high interception figures, keeping his cool on the ball despite high pressure games.
And here is a player who is good at breaking up play with his physique and anticipation, as well as showing positional discipline – qualities that have made Partey priceless for Arsenal at times. With Arteta looking to evolve tactically into midfielders who can cover ground and progress play vertically, Agoumé’s profile aligns well with Arsenal’s next phase of development.
Lucien Agoume is the next player to be linked with Arsenal, and with Thomas Partey now leaving, he seems to be the number 1 target to replace him this summer. pic.twitter.com/GL1w1hQQTw
Without really having made the breakthrough at the highest level, Arsenal feel they can get a little bit more out of Agoumé in a system that values possession and structure. He also qualifies as homegrown under UEFA rules due to his early move to Italy, giving him extra appeal in European squad planning.
Lucien Agoume does not have a superstar feel to him, but he could be a good signing providing Arsenal with squad depth and long-term planning options. The Gunners have profited from unearthing under-the-radar gems before, and Agoumé could be the same.
It’s not easy to replace Thomas Partey just like that. When performing to his full potential, which is rare, Partey offers control, presence and a safety net that few can match. Yet the change in tack by Arsenal – where availability, age profile and development potential have become a priority – means that an approach for Agoumé would make sense.
Although a deal still has to be completed, and Agoumé would require time to acclimate to the demands of the Premier League, the tools exist. If Arsenal’s coaching personnel are able to unshackle his potential, that could yet turn out to be an astute in a summer of bigger-name potential targets.
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