Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr are now ready to table a mouth-watering bid for a player who has been linked with Arsenal this summer.
Given that Riccardo Calafiori is close to joining Arsenal, it seems as if Edu and his team have begun accelerating their efforts further, chasing the club’s third summer signing.
Fabrizio Romano just shared that Arsenal will hasten their efforts to sign Mikel Merino once Emile Smith Rowe has left the club.
Smith Rowe is close to leaving Arsenal for Fulham, a heart-wrenching departure for the club’s supporters to watch.
But ultimately it is the right call, a player who no longer plays a significant role under Mikel Arteta.
That being said, Arsenal are approaching the transfer window slightly differently this summer, conducting something of a one in, out policy.
And if Smith Rowe is making way for Merino, then perhaps Reiss Nelson could be about to depart in exchange for a new attacker.
Leicester City are the latest club interested in Nelson, who it seems Arsenal may have already found a replacement for.
Al-Nassr have made Arsenal target Raphinha their priority signing this summer
Having been linked with the Brazilian before he joined Barcelona from Leeds United, Arsenal are ready to bid for Raphinha.
The 27-year-old could be sold this summer because of Barca’s need to raise funds amid a difficult FFP situation.
But perhaps unfortunately for Arsenal, Spanish outlet Sport are now reporting that Al-Nassr are ready to table an enormous offer for Raphinha this summer.
The Saudi side are keen to place Raphinha in their front line alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane – a potentially star-studded trio.
The aforementioned report recognises that Arsenal are also interested in Raphinha who has been placed on the market because of his below-par performances for Barca, as well as their need to raise funds.
But surely the north Londoners wouldn’t go near the €100m (£85m) that Al-Nassr are willing to pay, a figure that doesn’t represent value for the Gunners.
With no disrespect, at that price Arsenal could explore a deal for some of the best wingers in the world, perhaps even the likes of AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
Edu and Arteta have already shown their reluctance to become embroiled in bidding wars in the past and seem very unlikely to compete with the financial muscle of Al-Nassr.