Arsenal may be in the market for a new winger in the summer transfer window, as a speedy wide option would be useful for several reasons.
Mikel Arteta definitely wants to add at least one attacker to his squad, with Benjamin Sesko targeted as a striker, but a wide player could be useful both to provide more cover for Bukayo Saka, as well as to add further creative quality to the front line.
Wolves star Pedro Neto seemed to be the perfect fit, as a left-footed right winger who could play both alongside and instead of Saka, but his injury problems have made a big-money move too risky.
There is a much cheaper alternative Arteta can turn to, and it now appears that Arsenal are ready to battle AC Milan in a transfer race to sign him.
Arsenal interested in Girona winger Viktor Tsygankov
A report from Spanish outlet AS has now revealed that Arsenal and AC Milan are interested in Girona winger Viktor Tsygankov.
The 26-year-old was outstanding in La Liga this season, recording eight goals and seven assists in 30 matches as Girona recorded an astonishing third-place finish, which saw them qualify for the Champions League.
The Ukrainian currently has a release clause of just over £25m, but until Girona increase this as they want to hand him a new contract, he is available at what would be a bargain fee.
With a move for Neto highly unlikely to happen, Tsygankov could solve a few problems in the Arsenal squad.
Viktor Tsygankov compared to Pedro Neto as Arsenal eye up transfer
Neto made just 20 Premier League appearances last season, but he did score twice and provide nine assists, and was outstanding in his limited game time.
One key advantage Neto has over Tsygankov is that he has more experience of playing on both wings, with the Girona star playing on the right wing for the majority of his game time, but occasionally tucking into attacking midfield.
However, the rest all points to Tsygankov as the better rotational option for Saka. He has already played in a system more suitable to Arteta’s under manager Michel, with Girona averaging a possession rate of 56.9% in La Liga, just below Arsenal’s 58.2% in the Premier League, but significantly higher than Wolves with 48.9%.
Tsygankov is not reliant on space to run into, but his creative eye and sublime technique makes him similar to Saka as someone who can provide elite output in the final third.
Tsygankov was described as a “magician” after a victory over Las Palmas early on last season, in which he impressed on the ball, and he could be a cut-price genius on the wing to give Arteta more squad flexibility going forward.