Turning their attention towards the summer transfer window, Arsenal are now reportedly looking to hijack AC Milan’s move to sign a defensive reinforcement alongside interest in Matheus Cunha.
All but down and out in the Premier League title race thanks to knockout blows from West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, Arsenal’s task is clearer than ever this summer. They must rebuild Mikel Arteta’s attack. That must be their priority if they want to finally end their wait for England’s biggest honour for the first time in over two decades.
With that priority in mind, it’s no surprise that the rumours have already been coming thick and fast as names such as Alexander Isak threaten to steal the headlines. As things stand, it certainly seems like the Newcastle United man is the Gunners’ number one target, but whether they can afford to match his reported £150m price tag is another question entirely.
If it’s not the Swede, meanwhile, then it may well be Cunha. After failing to secure a move to The Emirates or elsewhere in January, the Brazilian put pen to paper on a new deal at Wolverhampton Wanderers which reportedly includes a release clause of £62m. A far more affordable option than Isak, Arsenal are seemingly among those eyeing Cunha’s signature once again this summer.
He’s not the only Wolves star they could sign, either. According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are now looking to hijack AC Milan’s move to sign Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer.
The Italian giants have reportedly been lining up a move to sign the left-back as a replacement for Theo Hernandez, who looks set to leave the San Siro this summer. Arsenal could yet stand in the way of that move, however, and perhaps even match Wolves’ €60m (£50m) price tag when the summer arrives.
If reports are to be believed and Ait-Nouri is on Arsenal’s radar, then those in North London could be about to see the end of central defenders inverting at full-back with natural players preferred in such a role. Ait-Nouri would certainly be a solid candidate if that is to be the case too, given how his attacking exploits would help to sharpen a blunt Arsenal attack.
A player who often steps onto the front foot and leaves his mark, Ait-Nouri is exactly the type of driving force Arteta needs to ignite his side’s attacking spark once again.
Earning plenty of praise during his time at Wolves, former manager Gary O’Neil told reporters when asked about the left-back: “I know he’s played a lot of games for Wolves and he’s extremely talented, but there’s still a lot of learning that he needs to do in his understanding of the game.”
At just 23 years old, there’s still plenty more to come from Ait-Nouri whether it’s at Wolves, AC Milan or, indeed, Arsenal.
