The clock ticks ever closer to the end of the transfer window and Arsenal have business still to complete. The pressure of time was on Edu and Mikel Arteta but now the added expectation of replacing injured assets has only emphasised the team’s needs.
Mohamed Elneny injured his hamstring during the match with Fulham and is expected to undergo a scan to understand the extent of the problem, football.london understands. The result is expected to affect Arsenal's transfer plans but no rushed decision will be made.
Prior to this news, the priority position that was being explored was the wide forward role. Pedro Neto of Wolves had been reported by The Athletic to be the club’s primary target. However, the deal is unlikely to take place due to the excessive transfer fee being asked for him.
READ MORE: Bukayo Saka fears grow after latest injury blow but Arsenal misconception needs addressing
football.london spoke to BirminghamLive's Senior Football Writer Alex Dicken to gauge the chances of Neto’s potential Arsenal move.
Alex said: "I think it would be a lot more than the £35m I've seen flying around. Wolves would surely be after in excess of £50m for Neto, who has five years remaining on his contract. Having just banked £30m-plus for Morgan Gibbs-White, Wolves are in a very strong position."
Another name on the list is Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha. The Ivory Coast international is being considered by the Gunners according to reports and would offer the Premier League experience Arteta craves in his signings.
The third option is Ukrainian international and budding young star Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Shakhtar Donetsk player is said to cost upwards of £20 million but discussions over a price between the two clubs have already begun, according to Ben Jacobs.
Curious to get the feeling from supporters, football.london reached out to the Arsenal supporters on Twitter. Using a poll, over 2500 of our Arsenal-supporting followers responded to the option of the three with rough estimates of their potential price tags.
As shown, despite the enticing Premier League options, Mudryk came out as the player the majority of voters wanted to see sign for the club, taking 40.6% of the vote. Interesting that Neto, the highest valued player, came out with the lowest percentage, 27.6%.
Zaha perhaps saw his age count against him, receiving just 31.8% in comparison to the younger Mudryk. The wages, estimated by Spotrac to total £130,000 per week, would be significantly more than the Ukrainian would cost the club, too.
Mudryk is a player who impressed at youth, senior and international level for Ukraine and Shakhtar and has been on the radar of plenty of top clubs in England and the continent. Whilst any deal would have its risks considering the need to adapt to the English game, securing competition and cover for Bukayo Saka is a necessity after Nicolas Pepe’s loan departure to Nice left the Gunners vulnerable.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal 'deadline day signing confirmed!' as Edu triggers stunning transfer theory on Instagram
Edu proves Arsenal transfer vindication amid Man United's mega £84m Cristiano Ronaldo swap deal
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from the Emirates Stadium
Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Arsenal transfer business under the microscope in 'good deal' or 'bad deal'
