Chelsea and Arsenal plot January swoop for £26m Feyenoord star Gjivai Zechiël

Chelsea and Arsenal are both interested in signing Feyenoord midfielder Gjivai Zechiël, according to Caught Offside. The 22-year-old Dutchman, valued at around £26m, has caught the eye of both clubs after a promising start to the season, and a January battle could ensue.

  • Player: Gjivai Zechiël
  • Current club: Feyenoord
  • Interested clubs: Chelsea and Arsenal
  • Asking price: Around £26m (€30m)
  • Contract until: 2028
  • Season so far: Nine goal contributions across all competitions

Deal details

Feyenoord value Zechiël at around £26m (€30m) and are determined not to let him leave for cheap in January, with his contract running until 2028. This summer, LOSC Lille expressed interest and launched a formal proposal, but Feyenoord rejected it to keep hold of the midfielder. Both Chelsea and Arsenal are monitoring his development, and a mid-season swoop is possible.

Why Chelsea and Arsenal want Gjivai Zechiël

Chelsea’s interest stems from a midfield shortage. They sold Andrey Santos and Enzo Fernandez this summer and only signed Jordan Henderson as reinforcement. Dario Essugo was loaned to Strasbourg, leaving Xabi Alonso with Henderson, Moisés Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco as specialist deeper midfield options. However, Caicedo has been out injured in recent weeks, and Lavia has had numerous fitness problems since joining from Southampton. Alonso has even used right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto in the engine room, highlighting the need for a new midfielder.

Arsenal, meanwhile, refreshed their midfield by signing Bruno Guimaraes and allowing Christian Norgaard to join Everton. But Mikel Arteta is keen on adding further depth to the position. Zechiël, a right-footed player comfortable in defensive midfield and box-to-box roles, has enjoyed a promising start to the season, making nine goal contributions across all competitions. His potential makes him a shrewd acquisition for either club.

Tactical fit for Chelsea and Arsenal

For Chelsea, Zechiël would provide immediate cover for the injured Caicedo and the injury-prone Lavia. His ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker or a box-to-box midfielder would give Alonso tactical flexibility, especially with James and Gusto forced into midfield roles. The Dutchman’s energy and goal threat from deep could also ease the creative burden on Henderson.

At Arsenal, Zechiël would add competition for places alongside Guimaraes and provide a long-term successor to the Brazilian. Arteta values versatility, and Zechiël’s capacity to operate in multiple midfield roles would fit his system. However, with Arsenal already possessing a strong midfield, Zechiël might see more guaranteed minutes at Chelsea, which could sway the race.

Talking points

  • Chelsea’s midfield crisis makes Zechiël a necessity, but Arsenal’s project under Arteta could be more appealing for his long-term development.
  • Feyenoord’s £26m valuation is steep for a 22-year-old with no Premier League experience, but his nine goal contributions suggest he could be a bargain.
  • If Chelsea miss out on Zechiël, their reliance on makeshift midfielders like James and Gusto could derail their season.
  • Arsenal’s interest might be opportunistic; they already have Guimaraes, so Zechiël would likely be a squad player rather than a starter.

What happens next

Both clubs are expected to monitor Zechiël’s performances over the coming months. Feyenoord are unwilling to sell in January unless their £26m valuation is met. A concrete approach could materialise in the winter window or next summer, with Chelsea potentially more desperate due to their injury woes.

Frequently asked questions

How much would Gjivai Zechiël cost?

Feyenoord value him at around £26m (€30m) and are determined not to let him leave cheaply in January.

Why do Chelsea want Gjivai Zechiël?

Chelsea need midfield reinforcements after selling Andrey Santos and Enzo Fernandez, signing only Jordan Henderson, and loaning out Dario Essugo. Injuries to Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia have exacerbated the issue.

Have Arsenal already signed a midfielder?

Yes, Arsenal signed Bruno Guimaraes this summer and allowed Christian Norgaard to join Everton, but Mikel Arteta still wants more depth.

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