Arsenal strengthened in the forward department in the summer by signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City. However, the early months of the season have shown that the Gunners still lack strength in depth throughout the forward line.
With the wide and forward areas needing to be strengthened, one player who is a possibility for the Gunners is Memphis Depay from Barcelona, as it would give Arsenal fluidity in the attack between the Dutchman and Gabriel Jesus. Arsenal were reportedly interested in the summer, but a deal never materialised for the Barcelona man.
Depay would be a good signing for Arsenal, but more so as a winger or secondary forward. And Edu has potentially been given a boost in completing a deal as Barcelona have reportedly set their transfer status on the Dutchman.
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According to Spanish news outlet AS, Barcelona will sell the forward in January. This could be due to the economic restrictions that prevent the Catalan side from signing players in the January transfer window.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta told Spanish news agency EFE: "We had to make some levers, which were economic operations that saved the club from ruin, and now the club is in economic recovery. But despite that, according to the rules of financial fair play of the Spanish league, we can not sign."
Despite Arsenal's previous interest in Depay, it has now emerged that Edu could also face competition from Liverpool. Two months ago, Spanish outlet Fichajes reported that the Gunners were looking at making a move for Barcelona forward Depay.
The Dutchman has fallen out of favour at Camp Nou since Xavi took control of the club, and with Robert Lewandowski joining it has pushed him further down the pecking order, meaning Edu can pounce on a deal for Depay.
And the Gunners have an excellent chance to sign him on a free transfer as Mundo Deportivo has also reported that Depay aims to leave on a free in January, meaning that there will be a minimal risk if Arsenal are to complete a deal.
The Dutchman’s game time has been extremely limited this season after Barcelona’s active summer transfer window. However, Depay has still been called up to participate in the World Cup for the Netherlands, meaning that it could provide as an ideal audition to see if Edu should pursue a deal in the January transfer window.
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