Arsenal and Liverpool linked with Spanish forward Michu - Is he worth the bumper price tag?

Michu

Hailed as one of the bargains of the Premier League season when he arrived in south Wales, the lowly transfer fee that Swansea handed Real Vallecano for the services of Michu did little to excite supporters of the Welsh side.

However, after 18 goals in the 35 games he appeared in during his debut season in the English top flight, the 27-year-old is now causing the big boys to stand up and take notice. The Express have reported that both Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in the forward but will have to pay upwards of the £30 million Swans’ chairman Huw Jenkins valued him at.

It’s easy to throw rumours out in the open regarding Arsenal’s current strike force, despite the north London outfit sitting pretty at the top of the table. Olivier Giroud, as strongly as he has started the season, is their only viable option up top at present.

The Frenchman has struck four goals in his opening seven games this season but is backed by only Yaya Sanogo, who is yet to get a sniff at the Premier League for one reason or another. Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski are also in the frame, but both are sidelined with injury and have been categorised as wingers by Arsene Wenger.

Nicklas Bendtner is still clinging onto the fringes on the Arsenal squad as well, but is likely to be brushed away by Wenger as soon as possible.

As well as a direct replacement for Giroud if needs be, the acquisition of Michu would also inject a wealth of additional options for Wenger’s attack. Michu – who has just been called up to the senior Spanish side for the first time – can slot in just behind the frontman, where Mesut Ozil is being deployed, or drift around in a free role.

You can see by his Heat Map from his last outing against Southampton that he enjoys spreading his presence around the pitch, which is something that would serve him well in the interchanging ranks at Arsenal.

It would also be welcomed at Anfield, where Brendan Rodgers is continuing his search for a perfection in fluidity throughout his Liverpool squad. Despite the potent pairing of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez currently patrolling the forward berths in Merseyside, Rodgers, I’m sure, wouldn’t reject the opportunity to draft in some additional quality.

While it might seem quaint – upon hearing, anyway – that Rodgers would be willing to splurt a huge amount of money on a player who doesn’t resemble the mould of nimble forward Rodgers prefers, Michu would add another dimension into the Irishman’s arsenal.

While Suarez and Sturridge thrive on short, snappy passes inside the box and working space for themselves, Michu is comfortable with dropping into the deeper positions to pick up possession to spark the attacks.

Michu has already carved 16 opportunities for his team-mates in his opening seven games – which is more than Sturridge, Suarez and striker-turned-winger Iago Aspas have managed to rack up between them (15).

It may be slightly meaningless included Suarez in some comparisons, as the Uruguayan has appeared just twice since his suspension finished, but Michu also excels in the defensive aspects of the game. He has so far made 19 defensive contributions this season – 16 clearances and three interceptions – while the other three have amassed just nine between them.

With Philippe Coutinho as Liverpool’s usual creative hub, squeezing Michu into the side may be difficult. However, the latter has averaged over two key passes per game so far this season and is enjoying a deeper role with Wilfried Bony playing off of him.

Michu is a fine player who is still adjusting his game to the Premier League. His head will be turned by the reported interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, especially as he looks to crowbar his way into the highly-competitive la Roja set-up. The rumours of a move away from Wales are unlikely to go away until he secures a move to a club challenging for the Champions League.