Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has insisted how Mikel Arteta's need to spend wisely will ultimately decide whether Leeds forward Raphinha will join the Gunners this summer.
The 25-year-old, who is under contract at Elland Road until 2024, has been superb in a largely underperforming United side over the last six months, with the player perhaps now seeking pastures new.
Rumoured to cost any willing club around £65m, Winterburn has questioned the Arsenal boss' intentions, with Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus also rumoured to be closing in on a move this summer.
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"It'll be interesting to see if that transfer comes off or not. It's a lot of money," began the 58-year-old when speaking to bet365 most recently. "Arsenal have players in that position. Yes, we can all agree that we need to strengthen and add quite a few players this summer. Whether we'll add enough players, we'll have to see.
"But Raphinha is a player I like, he's exciting, he's good on the ball, he's quick. But we need to look at where he'd fit into the picture in terms of other players we're looking at and whether that money would be better spent somewhere else before going on him.
"In terms of what Arsenal are looking at, I can understand why they're looking at that transfer but a lot of supporters will be thinking, 'if we take Raphinha, what about the other positions that we need within the team? Does it mean we'll have less money to spend on those positions?'
"It's edgy and intricate at Arsenal at the moment. We're desperate for a centre forward and that has to be the priority. We cannot go into August without signing a centre forward. That would be a complete disaster."
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