Arsenal Weigh Up Emi Buendia Player-Plus-Cash Deal

Arsenal are looking at different options to sign Emi Buendia in January.

With countless alternatives to solve the creative dearth at Arsenal slowly being whittled down to select few, Emi Buendia‘s name is taking centre stage this month.

The sudden rise of Emile Smith Rowe briefly tempered fears that Arsenal may literally never score a goal from open play ever again. Three consecutive Premier League starts under Mikel Arteta has helped the Gunners become a vastly improved side in the final third, although no brilliance from the Hale End star detracts from Arsenal’s needs in the transfer market.

It’s a problem area within the squad that needs tending to, albeit at this very moment in time an issue less prevalent in the starting lineup.

Arteta is in the midst of a substantial squad overhaul that is set to begin with a mass player exodus over the coming six months. Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba have temporarily left north London, while the futures of many others could be resolved either in January or the summer.

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Once players leave others can be brought in, with Buendia among the primary forward options who could be available during the winter.

The Argentine is enjoying another fine individual season for high-flying Norwich, who sit atop the Championship table aided by his seven goals and seven assists.

As per the Independent, Arsenal have already held preliminary discussions with Buendia’s agent over a deal – nothing official – although this in no way indicates than any sort of agreement is close.

In a bid to solve their issue of a bloated squad while equally bringing in new faces, a player-plus-cash deal is being investigated by Arsenal in a bid to tempt the Canaries to part with their prized asset. Two of Arteta’s men could be used as makeweight.

Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock

While there are other unmentioned parties, Reiss Nelson is among those who’ve been mentioned as possible candidates to help facilitate a deal for Buendia.

Likewise, Joe Willock is also someone Arsenal will consider offering Norwich in an effort to land the player Arteta is said to value highly.

How much either Willock or Nelson are worth is an inconclusive debate that would only lead to speculating at this point. Both players are under contract until the summer of 2023 and come with the Hale End pedigree, but neither are regular Premier League starters.

As for Norwich, they will demand at least £40m for Buendia despite Daniel Farke stating he is not for sale – a stance backed up by Sky Sports, who insist no player has asked to leave Carrow Road. Such comments on speculation are normal, however, everyone has their price and if the Canaries’ valuation is met they’re widely expected to accept any deal.

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Given the profile of player, Nelson would be the obvious option to fill the wide berth that the 24-year-old would leave behind if they agreed to a player-plus-cash deal.

A right-winger by trade, Buendia has previously mentioned his preference to play as a No. 10. Arteta, on the other hand, is shifting away from such a structure and instead prefers two advanced No. 8’s who can interchange in the long-term. Now is about finding those who can play alongside Thomas Partey in the midfield trio.

Buendia is not a No. 8 nor a No. 10 at this stage, so it may be that he wants to alter his system, gradually bed the Argentine into the role or play him wide on the right.

His name is on everyone’s lips, but is he worth parting with one of Willock or Nelson for?

Reiss Nelson

If Arsenal want to haggle the price down and include one of the two mentioned, the resulting decision becomes a tough one.

At what point does realism set in, and how long can idealism last? Supporters would ideally see an entire XI of Hale End graduates playing week in, week out. Who wouldn’t?

The amount of talent who work their way up from youth level and don’t make the grade in the Premier League is often overlooked in favour of the select few who do have the ability.

Nelson has been tapping on the door of the first team intermittently since he broke through. This season in the Europa League, those taps turned to knocks. Never before has he looked as ready as he is to earn minutes in the league.

Injuries have stifled that progress, and with Arteta having found a winning formula, even a return from niggling issues can’t see him make a matchday squad. The manager said he hasn’t been 100% ready, but this comes across more as protection rather than fitness.

However, wherever Nelson goes he will be a star. Of this there is little doubt. Give him a regular run in a side and he will produce. No offence to Norwich, but he is a Premier League player. If Alex Iwobi can play regularly for Everton, so too can Nelson.

Joe Willock

How much more patience will people have with Willock? He’s made 76 senior appearances for Arsenal, more than any other member of the squad to have worked their way up from the academy. Despite those outings, he still hasn’t managed to fully kick on.

Again, he hasn’t been given a regular run of games – from the start or in his favoured position – to make his mark. When he was granted that chance, he was superb in the Europa League.

As the right-sided member of a midfield three is where he is best suited, a role he is yet to play for Arsenal in the Premier League.

It does appear unlikely he’ll get his chance this season, though. Still only 21 years old, he has room to grow and would benefit immensely from a solid spell of games. How important could an extra midfielder be for Arsenal for the second half of the season will depend on injuries and transfer movement, but a loan departure would certainly help his cause.

Is it too soon to give up on Willock and admit he isn’t going to make the grade, or is that unjust given he’s played almost exclusively as a late substitute for so many of his outings for the club?

The fact that Willock has been listed as a dispensable asset hints strongly towards the latter. For me, he needs a loan elsewhere before that decision is made. Let him play 20+ games regularly and then see where he is. Sadly, Norwich might only knock off a few quid if they get Willock on a six-month loan, not a few million.