Arsenal have been a different presence in the transfer market during the tenure of Mikel Arteta and Edu as technical director. The decade prior to their appointments saw the club gain a worrying reputation for poor decision-making.
It has not been perfect at Arsenal by any means and some moves have been rightly criticised. However, mistakes are certainly being learned from and the targets of 2022 have reflected an ambitious Arsenal.
They beat off competition for Gabriel Jesus with Chelsea, Juventus, Tottenham and Real Madrid all talked about as potential suitors. However, their aims have been of a level that some targets have fallen away from them.
READ MORE: Arsenal given £34.4m answer to Raphinha alternative amid Edu’s ongoing transfer search
The most recent examples are Lisandro Martinez and Raphinha. The latter is closing on a €72m (£60.9m) move to Barcelona whilst Ajax are reportedly demanding as much as €60m (£50.6m) for Manchester United, who overtook the Gunners in the race, to sign Martinez.
Objectively both Martinez and Raphinha would not start for Arsenal come the first game of the Premier League season. Martinez was seen as a left centre-half and left-back competition but both Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney would not be immediately ousted.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka is the out-and-out starter at right wing for Arsenal and Raphinha would need to battle the England international for the position. Record signing Nicolas Pepe has admitted defeat and three years after his £72m move has changed agents with the aim of finding a new club this summer football.london understands.
Effectively, had Arsenal won the race for both players, they would have signed two quality additions, however, players that are not guaranteed upgrades on the team. £111.5m would have been a very steep investment for players like these.
Yes, Arsenal need to strengthen and improve the rotational quality. But numbers in these realms should be looking to upgrade not just to enhance.
Hence why at left-back Arsenal have reportedly switched to the €7m (£5.9m) Alex Grimaldo. A 26-year-old starting Benfica player with plenty of European experience at a more than reasonable price. Martinez has hardly played at full-back and would cost more than eight times as much.
In midfield, Youri Tielemans is a player that gives Arsenal more quality and options in the position. Lucas Paqueta, another potential target, is a player who gives strength and competition in multiple attacking areas.
Arsenal have been very good at doing business as quietly as is feasible in this day and age. More shocks are expected under this regime be it this window or in future ones football.london understands.
The club are being measured and sensible with their spending and going as high as £111.5 million for the aforementioned targets would have been a significant gamble and almost certain over extension of investment. That said, there is growing pressure as the clock ticks down to the season’s start to get quality through the door and fast.
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