Arsenal’s overhaul under the club’s new management team will continue in 2019 amid suggestions that Julian Weigl is wanted by head of recruitment Sven Mislintat.
Weigl was one of the coming forces of German football two years ago, having shone for Borussia Dortmund after being plucked from 1860 Munich by Mislintat.
Mislintat led BVB’s scouting of the midfielder and Weigl was signed for a meagre £2million in 2015; he subsequently impressed and forced his way into the Germany squad for Euro 2016.
A key man under Thomas Tuchel, the 23-year-old has somewhat lost his way in the last 18 months however; a fractured ankle on the final day of the 2016-17 season required surgery and the midfielder struggled to replicate his prior form under either Peter Bosz or Peter Stoger last term.
Under new boss Lucien Favre, Weigl has found himself largely on the outside looking in, with new signings Axel Witsel and Thomas Delaney, as well as all-action Mo Dahoud, preferred in the engine room.
As such, Weigl has played just 150 minutes for the Bundesliga table-toppers.
According to Sport Bild, Mislintat is now looking for a reunion with Weigl at the Emirates and is pushing for a move next year.
The Gunners are preparing for life without Aaron Ramsey, who will leave if they receive a suitable offer in January or for nothing next summer.
That could open up a space for the five-cap German international, if Dortmund are willing to let him leave.
Unquestionably, with the player having a deal in the North Rhine until 2021, the German side will be looking for big money.
But the price would need to be much lower than the £65million Manchester City were quoted 18 months ago.
City’s interest has subsequently waned, with Frankie de Jong their No.1 target, but Arsenal could face a fight from Paris Saint-Germain - where Tuchel is now in charge.
He remains a big admirer of Weigl and PSG are currently short in midfield, having failed to replace Thiago Motta last summer.
The French champions are also facing losing Adrien Rabiot next summer, with his contract set to expire.