Joe Cole says midfielder Arsenal reportedly want to sign is now just as good as Jude Bellingham
Pundit Joe Cole has compared reported Arsenal target Federico Valverde with England international Jude Bellingham.
Valverde is having an outstanding season with Real Madrid but last month, Arsenal were linked with a swoop for the midfielder.
Spanish outlet Defensa Central claimed Arsenal sent scouts to watch Mykhaylo Mudryk play for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League against Real Madrid.
But it was Valverde who grabbed their attention as Arsenal continue their search for a new central midfielder to bolster their squad.
Cole says Valverde is as good as Bellingham
Speaking to BT Sport via The Daily Mail, Cole claimed that the Real Madrid man is just as good as Bellingham.
“He’s standing right at the top of the tree with Bellingham in the young players, and he’s on the verge of becoming the best,” he said.
“He’s box-to-box, he scores goals, he’s a technician, he was the unsung hero in the final, I thought he was outstanding against Liverpool.
“He drove that team forward [against Celtic on Wednesday], he’s a powerful boy, took his goal lovely, and he’s one that I earmarked about two years ago.
“He’s found it tough getting into Casemiro, Kroos and Modric, they’ve been incredible. He’s had to wait, bide his time and learn from the greats, take a little bit from everyone’s game.
“His stats this year are unbelievable, his goals, assists, goal involvements, incredible player. We talk a lot about Bellingham in this country, but this kid is every bit as good as Bellingham.”
It would be a huge surprise if Arsenal were able to entice Valverde to leave the Bernabeu and come to the Emirates Stadium.
Playing Champions League football would be the absolute bare minimum requirement and Arsenal would probably need to win the league to get him to think about it.
Casemiro was surprisingly enticed away by Manchester United, so there is a glimmer of hope, but it seems Valverde is part of the future in Madrid as it stands.
