Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly both vying for the services of Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, who is valued at £70m by the German giants.
Both Pep Guardiola and his former apprentice Mikel Arteta are expected to be in the market for engine room additions in 2025, as Arsenal could lose both Jorginho and Thomas Partey on free transfers this summer.
The pair are already free to enter negotiations with foreign clubs, and Jorginho's agent has supposedly offered him to a South American giant, while talks are supposedly yet to begin with Partey's camp over a new deal.
Meanwhile, City's midfield suffered a devastating blow against Arteta's side in September when Ballon d'Or winner Rodri sustained an ACL injury, and the Spaniard's absence has coincided with the champions' unforeseen capitulation in 2024-25.
There are also no guarantees that Kevin De Bruyne will be sticking around for the 2025-26 season either - his contract is up in the summer too - and according to GIVEMESPORT, Frankfurt's Larsson is a prime target for both clubs.
Arsenal 'in danger' of losing Larsson race
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The 20-year-old has excelled at Deutsche Bank Park this season with four goals and one assist from 23 matches, largely operating as a number eight but also functioning as a defensive midfielder at times.
Thanks to Larsson's exploits in the middle, Dino Toppmoller's side sit third in the Bundesliga table, and they have the 2004-born lynchpin under contract until the end of the 2028-29 season.
Frankfurt can therefore afford to drive an incredibly hard bargain for the man they captured for just €9m (£7.6m) from Malmo in 2023, reportedly slapping a £70m price tag on his head for the January window.
Arsenal and Man City have reportedly accepted that it will be near impossible to snatch Larsson away from Frankfurt in January, but they will continue to monitor his displays ahead of a potential summer approach.
However, the report adds that 'influential figures' at the Emirates are concerned at the prospect of Man City leapfrogging them in the race for the Scandinavian, just as they appear to have done with Omar Marmoush.
City to repeat Marmoush transfer trick with Larsson?
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The Premier League champions are said to be inching closer to the signing of Egyptian attacker Marmoush, who was previously on the radars of Arsenal and Liverpool before Man City upped the ante.
Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche recently confirmed that an unnamed club - believed to be Man City - had made contact to discuss a move for Marmoush, who has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Guardiola's side.
Marmoush could become Man City's second arrival of the January transfer window after Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who is expected to complete a £33.5m switch to the Etihad in the coming days.
However, Arsenal are yet to make any serious moves in the winter window, although Gooners are crying out for attacking reinforcements after Gabriel Jesus sustained a new knee injury in Sunday's FA Cup loss to Manchester United.
Head coach Arteta delivered a telling response when asked post-match if the Gunners could move for a new striker in January, where Arsenal will have to tread carefully around Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Ben Knapton
