Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their reported pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, if recent reports are to be believed. The youngster has impressed for the Villains, promising big things for the future.
Should he make the switch to the Emirates, the 18-year-old would join a whole host of youth prospects already making a name for themselves in the first-team. However, Mikel Arteta will be looking to bolster his squad options going forward.
The Gunners narrowly missed out on Champions League football for next season, with the Spaniard tasked with picking his players up and going for it again. Discussing his plans for the summer, Arteta said: “We are going to have certain resources, not unlimited resources, some resources.
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"And with our resources, we have to play and do what we have to do in the best possible way. We don't know what the rest are going to have in terms of resources, which I'm assuming is going to be challenging because now it's not a top-three or top-four league.
"Now it is a top-eight or ten teams that are involved. That's why we have to find a way to do again what we did last summer."
With those options will certainly be some marquee options, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling linked, while other efficient moves may have to be made elsewhere. That could be investing into a talent for the future or picking up a player running down their contract.
Aston Villa's Carney Chukwuemeka is in both camps, with the Gunners being loosely linked with a potential transfer. The midfielder has made 12 Premier League appearances this season, often utilised from the bench by Steven Gerrard.
However, with his deal expiring next year, there is uncertainty over his future, with clubs looking to pounce on a potential move. While Arsenal have been linked, they aren't alone, as Sport reports La Liga giants Barcelona have held talks with the youngster's agents.
While they held said conversations, the report claims that a signing isn't currently in the works, though it doesn't rule out the possibility in the future, in a potential blow to the Gunners.
