As the summer transfer window prepares to open on June 9th, transfer links for Arsenal are frequent and not often concrete. A country Arsenal are very well versed in scouting and buying from is France, with some players in Ligue 1 being linked to make the move to the Emirates this summer already and some linked to do the opposite.
To help decipher which of these links are concrete and which are not, I took the great chance to interview French football expert Abdellah Bulma. Abdellah is a very well-respected Journalist in France, reporting on all things Ligue 1 and regularly appearing on French Television and Radio.
I’d like to massively thank Abdellah for taking the time to answer my questions in a time that is undoubtedly the busiest for someone of his occupation. With that being said, let’s get into the interview.
1. What are your thoughts on William Saliba’s period at OGC Nice and what do you think the future holds for him at Arsenal?
Abdellah: Saliba is one of the best young players of his generation. He was trained by Mbappé’s father. His passage to Nice was honorable, but the story of the video has slightly affected his image. He has all the qualities of a modern defender, he is very mature for his age. Robust. The Olympic of Marseille wishes to recruit him.
2. How do you think the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic will affect transfer values in players moving away from Ligue 1 this summer?
Abdellah: The health crisis has impacted French football. Most clubs are indebted or sold. Many players are announced in some clubs to fill the debts.
3. Is there any update on the progress of Matteo Guendouzi’s move to Marseille and how likely do you think the deal is to happen?
Abdellah: Guendouzi is a separate player, he has a lot of quality but has not shown great professionalism. He seems a little more mature now, but I am still dubitative. He is close to signing with Marseille. He is a player that Pablo Longoria (Marseille President) would like to hire.
4. What are your thoughts on the future of Eduardo Camavinga and is there any chance of a move to the Premier League? (To Arsenal or any club)
Abdullah: Camavinga is a young gifted player, he started the season well and then went off…he is very coveted by PSG. He knows how to do everything about his age. But he was not spared by the wounds. He is a young person with his head on his shoulders, well surrounded, smart. He has a real career plan, stay in France 3 or 4 years before going abroad.
5. With Nicolas Pepe coming off his best period in an Arsenal shirt so far, how highly do you rate him and his future in the Premier League?
Abdellah: Pépé has the weight of his transfer on his shoulders. He arrived in Arsenal where it is difficult to impose, because observers compare all French attackers to Henry. He’s been very bad, but he’s got a lot of talent. He can be imposed on Arsenal if he has the confidence of the coach.
6. How likely do you think it is Houssem Aouar moves away from Lyon this summer and do you think there’s a chance Arsenal go back in for him?
Abdellah: Houssem Aouar began very well the year and then he encountered problems in the Lyon locker room. He’s been a lot less played, his value has decreased. Juventus was interested, so did PSG. He would also like to evolve in PL (Man City, Arsenal).
7. Following recent reports linking Luis Campos to a move to Arsenal, where do you see the future of the former Lille Director of Football?
Abdellah: I announced in March that Campos would probably go to Spain (He is very coveted), he is a man who has his own company. He already consults for several clubs…he also makes a lot of trading so he likes to choose the people he will work with. For Arsenal, I don’t know.
8. Zeki Celik is another player who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, how highly do you rate him and is a move likely?
Abdellah: Celik is a great player, a Turkish international that has a very nice score. He had a very nice season in Lille. The club are in debt, they need to sell.
9. Finally, is there any Ligue 1 players you would recommend to Arsenal given their reported targeted positions? (Right-back, Left-back, Centre-back, Defensive-midfield, Attacking-Midfield, Left-Wing)
Abdellah: Several young people from Ligue 1 are very strong. I am thinking particularly of Boubacar Kamara from Marseille, Tchouameni of Monaco, Botman of Lille, Ikoné of Lille, Amine Gouiri of Nice who is very strong…and finally Caqueret of Lyon, a young man with great intelligence.
To conclude: Whether it is Ligue 1 or anywhere else, Arsenal need players this summer. With the financial problems in France, Ligue 1 could be a very beneficial place for Arsenal to explore once again, but only time will tell.
I would once again like to thank Abdellah for his time, you can follow him on Twitter here.