Arsenal needed to ensure that they had a strong transfer window, but despite the big early spending on the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner, the club do not have unlimited money. There will be a figure that the club need to abide by to get all their business done.
Arsenal have approached all their transfer endeavours this summer in a similar way. Bidding negotiations have been ongoing throughout the window for a number of targets.
Arsenal were able to get Gabriel Jesus for less than what Manchester City originally desired, and also Fabio Vieira arrived for less than the release clause Porto would have wanted to be paid. However, players such as Raphinha and Lisandro Martinez have priced Arsenal out of moves, with Barcelona and Manchester United seemingly willing to pay more.
READ MORE: Lucas Paqueta completes Mikel Arteta’s Manchester City model at Arsenal and surprises in defence
With so many areas needing reinforcement, it is unsurprising that Arsenal have baulked at some of the asking prices. However, Edu is looking to overcome this problem by switching targets and finding cheaper opportunities whilst not losing out on quality.
According to reports in Portugal, Arsenal are looking at the €7m (£5.9m) signing of Alex Grimaldo from Benfica. A figure that could end up being less than eight times cheaper than what United may pay for Martinez – a player Arsenal wanted for the same position.
With that in mind, the club had been stalling on a move for Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans. It has since been revealed that Arsenal had a mystery priority above the Foxes star.
Belgian football journalist Sacha Tavolieri told The Gooner Talk that Arsenal have a higher priority central midfield target that has so far remained out of the public eye. “It was quite a bit strange because the entourage and the player understand he was not at a certain moment the priority of Arsenal. So, they didn’t want to go for him as a priority one hundred per cent,” Tavolieri explained.
Going further, he added, “[Arsenal] have a target and a main target in the midfield that is not Tielemans. That is also not [Amadou] Onana. They want the player absolutely, and they want to get him.”
However, reports emanating from France have revealed that perhaps Lucas Paqueta has emerged as this mystery target. Lyon are asking for a figure in excess of 65m which would be around double the price Arsenal would expect to pay for Tielemans.
By switching from the overly expensive Martinez to Grimaldo, the door has been opened for the Gunners to explore the more desirable but comparatively more expensive Paqueta. A player who could complete the Manchester City attacking model that Mikel Arteta has appeared to be striving for.
Paqueta and Grimaldo are not comparatively a weaker duo to add to the team when looking at Martinez and Tielemans. Versatility may not be as high, Martinez could certainly cover more positions, but the quality has not taken a notable hit with the Brazilian regarding as one of the most sought-after players on the continent.
That said, perhaps an addition at defensive midfield might be smart. Tielemans is more comfortable than Paqueta playing deeper, although the Lyon star does surprise when the pair are directly compared.
READ NEXT:
Tielemans or Paqueta join squad, Odegaard named captain - Arsenal's best USA pre-season tour
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Emirates
Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Edu vindicated in £111.5m transfer decision as Arsenal’s search to strengthen continues
The obvious £29.6m Youri Tielemans alternative that Arsenal need after Lucas Paqueta move
