Arsenal make contact with the 27-year-old free agent midfielder

By Willie S. Morrissey Last updated Sep 18, 2022

Lille’s Portuguese midfielder Xeka celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lille LOSC and Nîmes Olympique at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq on March 21, 2021. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal were unable to complete a deadline move for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and, through injuries, find themselves very short in midfield.

Although the window is currently closed, free agents can still be signed and a number of different media outlets are reporting that the club are considering a move for Xeka, who is worth around £8m but obviously won’t. would cost nothing.

Lille's Portuguese midfielder Xeka celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 soccer match between Stade Rennais FC and Lille LOSC at Roazhon Park Stadium in Rennes, western France, on 1 December 2021. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images) — Lille’s Portuguese midfielder Xeka celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the French L1 soccer match between Stade Rennais FC and Lille LOSC at Roazhon Park Stadium in Rennes, western France, on 1 December 2021. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images)

Xeka has been a free agent since his contract with Lille expired this summer.

Another free move would fit in with his career to date, where the only fee that has been paid for the two-footed midfielder has been a loan fee.

A central midfielder who can also play in a more defensive or left-wing role, Xeka has previously had discussions with Rennes but is claimed to prefer a move to the Premier League where he is. said to have a number of clubs interested in him.