The summer transfer window is in full swing, with teams selling and buying players left and right in hopes they can improve their squad in areas they lacked previous season and overall improve their squads with new additions to the squad. While we listen to the news of some of the bigger clubs bringing new superstars to their squad, there is one team that has been relatively quiet this summer, and that team is Arsenal, who as reported have only £40 million to spend this summer.
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – MAY 29: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal look dejected during the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Arsenal entered the summer transfer window with only £40 million to spend as a result of their failure to qualify for Champions League this season. Looking back at their 2018/19 season, Arsenal finished 5th in the Premier League with a 21-7-10 record and 70 points, only 1 point short of reaching Tottenham at 4th place, which would ultimately get them a ticket to appear in the most prestigious tournament in the world. But them finishing in the top 4 in EPL was not Arsenal’s only chance to appear in the Champions League. By reaching the finals of Europa League, Arsenal would have received a ticket to the Champions League if they managed to defeat Chelsea, but, as we know now, that was not the case. Failing to qualify for the Champions Leauge for the 3rd year in a row, the Gunners did not only disappoint their fans who still reminisce of the days when Arsenal squad was known as Invincibles but also put Unai Emery in a tough spot, as he was given only £40 million to spend in the upcoming transfer window.
As a club which is known to be a bit on the cheaper side when it comes to giving the managers money to spend in the transfer, window, Arsenal really did push the envelope with £40 million. Considered a rather big sum of money about a decade ago, £40 million does not get you a lot of room for decision when it comes to buying players nowadays.
Despite being left with only £40 million to spend, it was reported Emery did manage to find a diamond in the rough in PSG. We are talking about Christopher Nkunku, the 21-year-old central midfielder who has shown a lot of potentials but failed to live up to the expectations at PSG. Valued at around £25 million earlier this summer, PSG have decided they are willing to let go of their prized youngster for just £13.2 million, which is a deal Arsenal should immediately take, considering their lack of funds to afford anything else. Not to mention a £13.2 million is a great deal for the youngster who still has a lot of time to develop as a player.
Should Arsenal bring Nkunku to the team, they will surely be adding an excellent player to the team, who will help their midfield, which is in desperate need of some fresh legs after the departure of Ramsey. Not only is Nkunku technically gifted and player with strong physical attributes, but he also has a tendency to move forward to help his team in attack, which could fit right into the Arsenal team, who tend to pressure the opponents with their aggressive playstyle. Considering their star midfielders (Torreira, Guendouzi and Xhaka) are not really proficient when it comes to offering offensive support, Nkunku would be a perfect fit for the team, all for a rather low fee of only £13.2 million.
Should the Gunners sign the young Frenchman? I think there is no question needed here. For £13.2 million, Christopher Nkunku could prove to be one of the best signings for Arsenal in a long time.
