Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Goncalo Guedes Tops Wanted List

Arsenal may not have any pressing needs that can’t feasibly be solved internally, but that means that a peripheral option like Goncalo Guedes can top the transfer charts.

Arsenal‘s biggest concern should be finding a long-term solution for Santi Cazorla. However, I still have tremendous belief that this can be solved internally. Between Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Jon Toral, surely someone can step up, given the right opportunity, and make a transfer unnecessary.

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You could say the same about our wide attacking options. It’s a bit thin, with just Iwobi and the Ox as is, but with Alexis returning to the wide positions and Walcott (begrudgingly) due back, the immediate options are there.

Then there is Joel Campbell’s return and Jeff Reine-Adelaide.

Yet here I am, saying that the 20 year old Portuguese winger Goncalo Guedes should be the top transfer priority for Arsenal.

But my reasoning is simple. Just because the current stock is looking good doesn’t mean that the future is ready for anything. Alexis staying is not a sure thing. Walcott’s stay is always in question and the Ox openly admits to considering a move if he can’t find consistent time.

Guedes is a 20 year old superstar in the making. While I shy away from any claims of someone being “the next Ronaldo” it does speak massively to the potential that has been seen in this man.

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Portuguese clubs like Guedes’ own Benfica are known for churning out some promising young lads and, apparently, Arsenal has been assured that the versatile attacker is still for sale. This after scouts were said to be watching young Guedes take on Guimaraes.

Guedes has made a massive 27 appearances for Benfica this year, totaling seven goals and nine assists. While he plays wide traditionally, he has the size and skill set to be turned into a striker and we all know how much Wenger loves to make that transition.

It is that versatility that drew Wenger to Welbeck and to Lucas and it’s clear that Alexis also had the same trait. But seeing as how Lucas and Alexis are both 28, an injection of youth with first team relevance cannot possibly be construed as a bad thing. Guedes is as close to a sure-fire acquisition as you can get in a 20 year old, as he has that confidence that we see in Reine-Adelaide.

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It’s not likely that he would be cheap, but I don’t think that is a stumbling block for Wenger anymore.

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