Arsenal: £27 million for Cristian Pavon? Don’t believe a word of it

Arsenal have reportedly made a £27 million bid for Boca Juniors and Argentina winger Cristian Pavon. Quite simply, I don’t believe a word of it.

The madness of the transfer window is well and truly underway. It happens every year. It drives me mad every year. The relentless stream of unsubstantiated rumour from media outlets that are just desperate for the engagement that they generate. And Arsenal, given that the size and vocal nature of their fanbase, are a very easy target indeed.

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From the wonderkid in Brazil to the £100 million European superstar that everyone wishes they could sign, rarely does a high-profile move to any remotely sizable club in Europe happen without the Gunners being named as a possible suitor at one point or another during the transfer.

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It is the volume and the baselessness of the reports that is so infuriating. Not only are they not believable, but there is so many of them that they can drown you in conjecture and make-believe, especially when running a site like this one that provides comment on many of the incomings, outgoings and other eventualities that may take place through the summer. And now there is another name to add to the list of ‘potential targets’ that Arsenal allegedly interested in bringing to the Emirates.

According to Spanish media outlet AS, Arsenal have made a £27 million bid for Boca Juniors winger Cristian Pavon who has been in Russia with the Argentine squad in their unsuccessful World Cup campaign. There are a few reasons why this is another case of the unfounded rumours that arise at this time of year, but I am sure that you do not need me to tell you them.

Firstly, where is £27 million coming from? The reported £50 – 70 million budget has been spent already, even if the impending acquisitions have not yet been officially confirmed, and there are wage restrictions that must be abided by.

But more than just the money, this club has rarely pursued and signed players like Pavon. He has never played in Europe, he is hyped up and perhaps over-priced because of the media frenzy that surrounds any young Argentinian or Brazilian attacker, and he only nine caps for the national team and was a surprise inclusion in the World Cup squad.

Pavon just isn’t a normal Arsenal signing. The logistics don’t work, the money doesn’t work, there are better, cheaper options out there. The only thing that makes sense is that he is a winger which is a position that does need bolstering.

Next: 30 greatest transfers in past 30 years

I don’t believe a word of it. It’s beginning to wear on me somewhat.