Yunus Musah "really happy" at Valencia but refuses to close door on Arsenal return

Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah has said that he "loved playing for Arsenal" and has refused to close the door on a return to the club at some stage in the future.

The 19-year-old represented the Gunners in their youth system between 2012 and 2019, having joined their academy at the age of nine.

Musah left the Premier League giants for Valencia at the age of 16, though, initially turning out for Valencia B, before making the step into the first team in 2020.

The midfielder has been an important player for Los Che in the last two full seasons, while he has already featured on nine occasions in La Liga this term, contributing two assists in the process.

Musah has a contract at Mestalla until June 2026, but there has recently been speculation surrounding his future at the club due to his development over the last couple of years.

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The midfielder, who is expected to represent the United States at the World Cup, has recently been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Juventus, in addition to a return to Arsenal.

Musah has said that he is "really happy" at Valencia but has suggested he would be open to returning to North London before the end of his career.

"You never know. I had a great time at Arsenal developing there, I still have friends there, the coaches were great, being an Arsenal player in general is great," Musah told CBS Sports.

"I loved playing for Arsenal. I've nothing against the club and if one day it turns out to be that it's time to go back then it's possible. For now I'm really happy at Valencia and I'm looking forward to carrying this season on in the same way we're doing now."

The teenager has now made 80 first-team appearances for Valencia, contributing five goals and three assists in the process.

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Arsenal are expected to be active during the January transfer window, with the club also thought to be considering a move for Leicester City's Youri Tielemans.

A recent report claimed that the club's owners are prepared to hand head coach Mikel Arteta £50m at the start of 2023 to boost the squad, with midfield seen as a priority area.

Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday's trip to Chelsea, and a victory would see them return to the summit ahead of Manchester City.

The Gunners will then take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup next week before travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League for their final match before the campaign is halted for the World Cup.