Vinicius Junior has chosen Real Madrid. That leaves Arsenal with a clear problem: They need an elite player on the left – and they need him now.
The Brazilian recently signed a new six-year contract with the Spanish giants, and thus the door has melted shut for Mikel Arteta’s side. But the north London club has no intention of giving up. According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, Arsenal have already made a move – and the target is Iliman Ndiaye.
“I heard the other day that Iliman Ndiaye is a player Arsenal really like,” Jacobs says on the YouTube channel Latte Firm.
“He has rejected a contract proposal from Everton for the time being, and Al Hilal is working on it. But Arsenal is one of the clubs that has made a request,” he adds.
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Ndiaye has already given clear hints that he wants to move on. In an exclusive interview with SPORTbible earlier this year, he was crystal clear:
“You never know where football will take you. I’ve always said that I want to be the best – and to do that, you have to play at the top. I want to play in the Champions League,” said the 26-year-old.
And that’s exactly what Arsenal can offer. With the Premier League title behind them and Champions League football on the agenda, they are one of the few clubs that can match the ambitions of the Senegalese winger.
What have Arsenal done so far?
The summer has been relatively quiet on the transfer front for the Gunners – but in recent weeks the momentum has increased:
- Piero Hincapie was signed for £34.5 million after a successful loan spell.
- Illan Meslier arrived on a free transfer from Leeds.
- Christos Tzolis was signed from Club Brugge for £34 million.
- Bruno Guimaraes is on his way in for £75 million.
Nevertheless, it is the attack that Arteta wants to reinforce further. Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola have also been mentioned – but Ndiaye seems to be a real option.
Everton battle for the future
Ndiaye has so far turned down a new contract at Everton, and Al Hilal is pushing from Saudi Arabia. But with Arsenal’s interest, it could be a whole new chapter in the story of the technical and fast winger.
One thing is for sure: Arsenal are not going to settle for what they have. The search for the perfect winger continues – and Iliman Ndiaye could very well be the solution.
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