Arsenal are on the hunt for a new winger ahead of the second half of the season. Mikel Arteta has identified Mykhaylo Mudryk as the ideal signing to complete this target, but a deal has been incredibly difficult to get over the line.
It is important that sporting director Edu searches for alternatives to prevent the Gunners from leaving the winter transfer window empty-handed in the wing positions. A useful alternative for the north London side would be Arnaut Danjuma who could be available for a transfer.
However, the Gunners are not the only side to register Premier League interest as according to Spanish news outlet Fichajes, Aston Villa have opened talks with Villareal over a deal. Edu has shown so far to be proactive in this window with an aggressive approach to sign Mudryk early on, and the same intensity must be used to sign a potential alternative.
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Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery signed Danjuma from Bournemouth two summers ago for a £13.5m fee, and he has gone on to be a major success for the Yellow Submarine. The Dutch international scored six goals in nine Champions League appearances last campaign.
The winger caught the attention of the footballing world after his goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League first-leg quarter-final that gave Villareal a surprise 1-0 advantage going into the reverse fixture. The Dutchman has thrived since making a summer move, which was down to the system Emery used.
It is due to his excellent performances last season that Liverpool and Arsenal have reportedly shown interest in the forward. Danjuma admitted his desire to return to England as he said via Sky Sports: “There is definitely unfinished business for me in England. Because if you look back at the reason to why I joined Bournemouth, it initially was for me to play Premier League football."
A deal for Danjuma will not be easy however, as according to GOAL, Liverpool are also interested in signing him . They see the winger as a natural replacement for Sadio Mane who moved to Bayern Munich and may even wait until 2023 to make their move. But, after Liverpool’s capture of Cody Gakpo, it is unlikely that the Reds will sign another attacker.
A deal will not be expensive to secure the signing f Danjuma as according to Spanish journalist Toni Juanmarti West Ham were in talks about a potential €36million (£31million) fee in the summer.
The Gunners 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.
With the Gunners projected to finish at least in a Champions League qualification spot next season, it is important that depth is added to the forward areas. Danjuma would certainly be a good alternative if Edu is unable to get Mudryk over the line.
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