Arsenal are in the market for a winger, and are interested in Athletic Bilbao sensation Nico Williams, who has shone for Spain at Euro 2024.
Williams could be the ideal fit for Arsenal this summer, offering a deadly combination of speed and technical excellence, and he can also play on both wings.
However, Arsenal Insider revealed that despite Mikel Arteta’s interest in Williams, the 21-year-old prefers a move to Barcelona, and this means that he is unlikely to end up at the Emirates this summer.
Barcelona need to sell players to be able to generate the finances needed to sign Williams, and this has meant that two surprise options may now be on the table for Arsenal this summer.
Barcelona have offered Raphinha and Ferran Torres to Arsenal
Speaking to Arsenal Insider, HITC transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now revealed that with Barcelona keen on shifting players, attackers Ferran Torres and Raphinha have both been offered to Arteta.
“Barcelona are desperately trying to move people on. Raphinha and Ferran Torres have both been offered to Arsenal a lot of times,” Bailey stated.
“Raphinha, could I see him joining Arsenal? I wouldn’t rule it out. With Ferran Torres, he’s a player who Mikel Arteta likes, but is he a big upgrade on what he’s got?”
Would Raphinha or Ferran Torres be good signings for Arsenal?
Both attackers can play on both wings, meaning that they could provide adequate cover for Bukayo Saka, whilst also bringing quality across the front line.
Torres recently scored for Spain at Euro 2024 in their victory over Albania, but is out of favour at Barcelona. Nevertheless, he scored seven goals and provided three assists in just 12 La Liga starts this season.
The former Manchester City star would stylistically be a good fit, can play across the front including in a central role, and would bring speed that Arsenal sometimes lack in their attack. At 24, he still has the potential to improve under Arteta.
However, despite Barcelona’s stance on the Spaniard, Torres today emphasised his desire to remain with the Blaugrana.
“I’ll be staying at Barcelona next season,” he stated.
“It’s not that I just want to remain here, but rather that I’m going to stay.”
Raphinha is a different case, as a left-footed right-winger in the mould of Saka. His best position is on the right, meaning that game time for him could be difficult, and whilst he has played on the left, he does not have the explosive pace that Arteta may desire this summer.
The former Leeds star was successful in the Premier League, but has been hit-and-miss at Barcelona, and perhaps he may be better suited to a counter-attacking side, rather than a system like Arteta’s which seeks to dominate possession.
Arteta was heavily interested in Raphinha before he moved to Barcelona, but it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard still views him as an option who can strengthen his attack this summer.