Remember that feeling of the January transfer window where the hope that a player of the calibre of Dusan Vlahovic could come to Arsenal? Course you do, but not for good reasons. We were sent spiralling into disappointment as no striker was brought in
Well, let us hope that Arsenal, Edu and Mikel Arteta have learned from that because a near-carbon copy scenario could be awaiting the Gunners again in the summer for their midfielder of choice.
The Mirror reported that Arsenal representatives had met with the agents of Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz. The Spaniard will have just one year left on his Napoli contract in the summer and has so far decided not to extend his stay with the Italian side.
Reports suggested he could leave for as little as £16 million making him effectively a no-brainer for a team like Arsenal.
However, journalist Raffaele Auriemma explained that the Spaniard would decide against a move to Arsenal in favour of joining one of Europe’s elite. He said, speaking to Area Napoli via Sport Witness, that PSG and Real Madrid were his preference.
“I believe that Fabián Ruiz will leave Napoli at the end of the season. There’s been a proposal from Arsenal, but I understand that the player doesn’t want to join the Gunners. The midfielder is waiting for other offers, be they from Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid,” said Auriemma.
In January, when Dusan Vlahovic decided against a move to Arsenal, despite the club’s efforts, and instead chose to join Juventus, the Gunners were unable to follow through with any deal for an alternative.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah remained the club’s only senior orthodox striker options in the wake of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure.
This lesson needs to be applied in the summer should Arsenal fail with their primary target. The qualification for the Champions League should be a huge help in negotiations, but Edu and Arteta need to have contingencies.
Thankfully, the club have been linked to a number of other central midfielders and there remain a number of options who could be as good for Arsenal as the Spaniard.
Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans is admired by Mikel Arteta and looks set to leave the Foxes in the summer. He would cost significantly more than Ruiz but would provide Arsenal with a Premier League-ready quality flavour.
Secondly is RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams. Linked with Arsenal in 2021, the USMNT captain would bring leadership, versatility and obvious quality. A buyout clause of £32.25m makes the player very accessible too.
Finally, Wolves’ Ruben Neves. When the Portuguese player isn’t getting under my skin moaning about the Gunners’ celebrations, I can appreciate what a brilliant midfielder he is. A great passer, shot taker and technical dribbler, Neves has the lot.
Arsenal have options, which is the clear difference between the upcoming summer and January transfer windows. They just cannot afford to mess it up with what might be at stake next season.
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