Arsenal set to battle Liverpool for £69 million-rated Bundesliga breakout star: Reports

Arsenal are reportedly likely to face difficult competition from Premier League rivals Liverpool in their pursuit of Sweden and Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Larsson.

Larsson, who turned 20 earlier this June, is said to have impressed a host of clubs across all Europe since joining Frankfurt from Swedish outfit Malmo for close to £8 million last July. He helped the Bundesliga club finish sixth last season, making 29 league appearances.

The six-cap Sweden international has started the 2024-25 season on a great note, registering two goals and one assist in five games across all competitions. He has started all five of his appearances so far.

Now, according to Caught Offside, Arsenal are highly interested in signing Larsson next summer. Both the Gunners and Liverpool's scouts have produced impressive reports on the right-footed box-to-box midfielder after watching the star play in two latest games for Frankfurt.

However, both Arsenal and the Merseyside outfit are expected to face competition from Premier League holders Manchester City in the race to sign Larsson. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also keen to snap up the star, who is valued in the region of £69 million.

Larsson, whose current contract will expire in June 2028, could prove to be a good addition for both the north London club and Liverpool. He would potentially replace Jorginho and Wataru Endo at the two clubs.

Ex-Liverpool star reveals what Mikel Arteta must do at Arsenal to be deemed top coach

Speaking to online bookmaker Safest Casino Sites, ex-Liverpool star David James was queried what must Mikel Arteta do to be considered one of the best managers. He replied (h/t The Sun):

"Mikel Arteta needs to turn the potential and the promise into silverware to be considered one of the best managers in Europe. It is strange because when Arteta first went in there, I was probably raving about him more then than I would do with any other manager, and people need to remember that, despite winning the FA Cup in his first season, it was a bumpy ride."

James, who represented Liverpool 277 times as a player, continued:

"It was a massive rebuild job that Arsenal needed, and he's seen that through to the extent where they are now Premier League title-chasers. He deserves credit for that. The next step is taking that final jump and winning the title. That is the only way that [the Gunners] can improve in the Premier League."

Arteta, 42, has helped the north London side win a FA Cup and two FA Community Shield trophies since joining the team in December 2019.

Arsenal, who finished second in each of the last two terms, are fourth in the 2024-25 Premier League standings with 11 points from five games.