Arsenal will need to sign a wing-forward ahead of next season to further complement Eddie Nketiah, and Gabriel Jesus. Arsenal have already identified this player, and have potentially eliminated Chelsea as being a stumbling block.
According to Italian news outlet Tuttomercato, Chelsea are willing to compete to sign Rafael Leao from AC Milan. To secure his services a transfer could cost upwards of £100million, with £105million bids expected to be launched.
Considering the stardom of Leao, and Arsenal’s need for a winger, Edu can throw his hat in the ring, as he did previously. The Gunners’ dismantling of Chelsea on Sunday afternoon highlighted that the north London can compete with the biggest of the teams on the pitch, which also helps with negotiations off the pitch.
READ MORE: Why Chelsea vs Arsenal Premier League clash was suspended amid crowd incident
Arsenal reportedly registered interest in Leao early last season as Italian outlet La Repubblica claimed that Arsenal had turned their attention to the AC Milan forward for the summer transfer window. It is a deal that Edu could look to revisit, as Arsenal could be short in the wing positions going into next season.
The Portuguese attacker had 13 goals and seven assists for Milan last season, and would certainly add more quality to Arsenal’s frontline. What makes him more of a desirable signing is that he can feature on either the wing position or as a lone forward, which highlights his versatility.
His excellent performances last season helped his Milan side to lift the Serie A trophy and beat their fierce rivals Inter Milan to first place. Leao's importance to this trophy was highlighted by the fact that he won Serie A player of the season.
Arsenal were unable to sign a winger in the summer transfer window, despite the clear need to strengthen in the wide areas. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have a lot of pressure to perform until the next opportunity to address this area of the pitch opens, but there is a risk of burnout.
However, the wingers have been excellent throughout the season and are a major reason why the Gunners currently top the Premier League. Martinelli and Saka have both scored five goals this season, which is an impressive statistic considering they are scoring from wide areas, which is harder to do than when you are closer to the centre of the goal
But for the youngsters to keep this level of performance and intensity in the future, there will be times when they will need rest. With a lack of depth in quality in the wide areas, this has not been the case for Saka or Martinelli, with Arteta forced to play both in the Europa League group stage this season due to a lack of options.
With the Gunners projected to finish in a Champions League qualification spot next season, it is important that depth is added to the forward areas. Leao would certainly be an excellent acquisition and Arsenal are putting themselves in a great position to secure a deal.
READ NEXT:
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal title hopes, Saka treatment and White's World Cup chance
Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea as Gabriel superb and Ben White stakes World Cup claim
Chelsea vs Arsenal highlights: Gabriel seals Gunners win as Aubameyang disappoints
Why Gabriel yelled at Granit Xhaka as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left behind in Arsenal evolution
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Tomiyasu injury update, Europa League reaction, Chelsea call
