Arsenal are desperate to secure the services of Emiliano Buendia, with the Gunners ready to offer Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson in a potential player plus cash deal.
According to Evening Standard, Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Emiliano Buendia this month. The Norwich City star has been identified as one of the targets for Mikel Arteta, who is keen on adding more quality to his ranks. The Spaniard is also looking to offload some of the fringe players in his side.
As such, Arsenal are now willing to offer the likes of Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson in an attempt to sweeten Buendia’s reported £40 million price-tag. Although Norwich City have shown no intention of offloading their star playmaker in January, their stance could be skewed by a potentially lucrative offer – something the Gunners are clearly working on right now.
The club’s eagerness to get rid of Nelson and Willock is hardly surprising either as neither of these two individuals seem to have any real future at Emirates. Nelson, in particular, has struggled to live up to the expectations following his successful loan spell at TSG Hoffenheim. Although he hasn’t played as much as most of his attacking teammates, the winger has clearly failed to make the most of his opportunities.
Emiliano Buendía has created more chances (62) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues this season.
He could be a popular man in the the January transfer window. ? pic.twitter.com/wrslufKDIW
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 4, 2021
Willock, on the other hand, has been quite influential – but only against lower-ranked opponents, especially in the Europa League or domestic cup matches. His performances in the Premier League has been far from ideal, so his potential departure from Emirates could also make sense in this January transfer window.
In contrast, Arsenal could welcome the arrival of someone like Buendia. The Norwich City star seems like a good alternative for former target Isco, even more so considering the fact that the Argentine has experience of playing in the Premier League and in English football.
A right-winger by trade, Buendia is a versatile attacker who can also operate in the number ten role. He is primarily known for his chance creation, meaning he can be an ideal replacement for Mesut Ozil. In addition, the 24-year-old could provide competition for youngster Emile Smith Rowe in the Arsenal camp during the second half of the campaign.
Hence, the potential arrival of someone like Buendia, especially at the expense of two fringe players in Willock and Nelson, could be nothing less than a masterstroke from Mikel Arteta this month.