It wouldn’t be the Arsenal transfer window without an element of jeopardy. The targets for the Gunners have been well publicised for some time despite the north London side’s own frustration at the inability to keep their deals close to their theoretical chest.
Youri Tielemans and Gabriel Jesus are understood to be the priorities for Arsenal this summer as Mikel Arteta aims to find himself a progressive central midfielder and the forward, deals he’s wanted for himself for some time. However, the club have not yet acted upon either.
The Athletic have reported that despite all the hype around the Gunners' interest, Arsenal are yet to bid for Tielemans. Why they haven’t is perhaps linked to his participation with the Belgian national side which ended yesterday.
READ MORE: Why Arsenal have decided to try to sign Youri Tielemans instead of Yves Bissouma
Waiting to sort out personal terms and agree on a deal with the player before then moving to speak with Leicester City. Otherwise, it would seem odd that no bid had yet been made.
Leicester want a fast resolution to this so they can plan for the future and secure a replacement. However, if Arsenal are having second thoughts this may be revealed in their recent links to a possible alternative.
The Portuguese outlet The Record has claimed that Arsenal along with Manchester United hold an interest in Vitinha. The former Wolves player and Portuguese international has caught the eye of a number of top clubs since returning to the Liga Portugal.
He scored four goals and assisted five more at the age of 22 as he helped Porto to the league title. The report claims that any potential suitor would need to stump up as much as €40m (£34.5m) to buy him.
This is where I begin to question further why Arsenal would decide to do this. This fee is nearly ten million pounds more than what the suggested price for Tielemans would be. The Belgian has Premier League experience and is performing to a higher standard.
It is highly unlikely that Arsenal would look to spend a combined near £60 million on two central midfielders when they have needs at striker and wide forward. Jesus and the newly linked Raphinha are sure to cost an amount that would be compromised by an over-expenditure in midfield.
Not to mention the further needs at full-back with links to the likes of Aaron Hickey and Oleksandr Zinchenko. It can only be that Vitinha, if he is indeed on the club’s radar, would be pursued if the move for Tielemans suddenly fell apart.
It is good that the club has their fall-back options. However, in a summer where there is such an emphasis on improving the team and closing the gap to the top, alternative options have a sense of disappointment about them.
Unless of course, they happen to move for players that are equally as good. Though in this case, Vitinha sadly is not, yet.
