Barcelona could now interrupt Arsenal’s summer transfer plans as Edu Gaspar tries to repeat the rich success of last year.
Edu seemingly delivered each and every name on Mikel Arteta’s shortlist last summer, four signings that changed the club’s season.
Declan Rice remains the best of the bunch, even if Kai Havertz wasn’t necessarily too far behind in the end.
And despite the success of the duo, Arsenal are said to be keen to sign another midfielder and striker this summer.
Of course, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is now being earmarked as Havertz’s new partner, a young talent who can learn a lot from the German.
And whilst Arsenal’s striker search seems to be progressing well, there hasn’t quite been the same headway when it comes to bringing in a new middle man.
Arsenal are said to have two or three targets, including Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.
Both Brazilians have been incredibly impressive in the Premier League this season, but could both cost Arsenal around £100m – a sum that seems prohibitive.
Barcelona enter race to sign long-term Arsenal target Douglas Luiz this summer
Arsenal have been interested in Luiz for some time now, a player considered a ‘dream’ target by Arteta.
But according to a new report from Italian outlet TuttoJuve, who were explaining the Luiz saga from Juventus’ point of view, Barcelona could now be in strong contention.
The report shared that Juventus were seriously interested in Luiz also, but feared losing out to Barcelona who have now joined the race.
Of course, such competition certainly wouldn’t be welcome from Arsenal’s point of view, who would surely be hoping to drive down Villa’s £100m asking price, rather than entering a bidding war.
Arsenal have seemingly cooled their interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak for similar reasons, a player who is simply going to cost the club too much.
Having tabled a £46m bid for Sesko, the striker has perhaps been deemed a more sensible signing, allowing Arsenal better flexibility elsewhere in the market.
And perhaps we’ll ultimately see the same decision made when it comes to both Luiz and Guimaraes – who seem unlikely to head to Arsenal this summer.
Of course, when considering cost effective alternatives, AS Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana is said to be available for £20m – a player the club have often been linked with.