Arsenal: Ricardo Pereira Perfect Embarrassment Of Riches

Jul 26, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Ruben Bover (21) and Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin (39) chase the ball during the second half of a game at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated Arsenal 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Ruben Bover (21) and Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin (39) chase the ball during the second half of a game at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated Arsenal 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ricardo Pereira is being linked with a £20 million move to Arsenal. Signing him would be the perfect embarrassment of riches for Arsene Wenger.

The January transfer window is here and with it comes a raft of ambitious, not always truthful, rumours. Arsenal, like every other club, are linked with every half-decent player across Europe with fans, like myself, beginning to foolishly believe that this could finally be the window in which Arsene Wenger splashes the cash.

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You see, in times gone by, any ridiculous reports could be lambasted, simply ignored for being wholly unrealistic, for not portraying the genuine, attainable transfer prospects with the financial restrictions that Wenger was working under.

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That all changed in the summer of 2013. Wenger signed Mesut Ozil for £42.4 million and ever since then, hope has been cruelly given to all fans. Consequently, when rumours now surface, they cannot simply be dismissed as foolish, click-bait. That, in a rather roundabout way brings me to the potential of one Ricardo Pereira.

The full-back, who is currently on loan at Nice, was once a rising star amid the Porto ranks. However, after struggling to acclimatise to the senior ranks, his career seemingly stalled. That was until he left for France 18 months ago. Since then, he has established himself as an accomplished defender, capable of playing on the left and the right and also the attacking pedigree to play higher up as a wide midfielder. As such, with Wenger’s penchant for acquiring and developing young talent, rumours have arisen surrounding a possible £20 million move for the 23-year-old.

As explained earlier, now, we cannot simply disregard such rumours.

That is even more so in this case given Wenger’s recent admission regarding the futures of Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson. Just this week, Wenger has stated that he is happy for both to leave in January. Whether that be on loan or on a permanent basis – it is far more likely to be a loan deal rather than permanent – if both were to leave it would still leave Arsenal desperately short in the numbers department with just Hector Bellerin left in the squad.

It would be a surprise, therefore, for Wenger to allow both Jenkinson and Debuchy to leave, in any form, without having a replacement ready in the wings. Perhaps then, Pereira is the replacement that Wenger has sought and what a replacement he is.

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Versatile, quick, athletic, Pereira has great offensive skills combined with a solid and improving defensive game. If brought to the club, it would be a true embarrassment of riches for the Gunners but that is no bad thing.