Arsenal eye double Norwich raid with Max Aarons transfer

Arsenal are laying the foundations for their summer transfer window with moves already mooted for a number of players across Europe, although one club in particular is catching the eye as Norwich duo Emi Buendia and Max Aarons are high on the Gunners’ wishlist.

In short, Arsenal are after a full-back on either side, a central midfielder, and attacking midfielder and a striker. This is the watered down shortlist although movement in certain departments could drastically alter the landscape.

In midfield is that no more prevalent, with the potential for five departures opening the door for further incomings.

This applies at right-back, too. Hector Bellerin and Arsenal are both in agreement that the best decision for either party is to part ways, leaving only a buying club left to sound out. The future of Calum Chambers differs depending on source, while Cedric Soares has plummeted to the bottom of the pecking order under Mikel Arteta and if a sale can be made there is nothing to suggest Arsenal won’t sanction it.

Arsenal eye Max Aarons summer transfer with double raid on Norwich for Emi Buendia among Mikel Arteta and Edu’s plans

Bellerin is the certainty to leave as is acquiring a replacement, with none higher up on the list than Norwich’s Max Aarons. Already the Gunners have ramped up their pursuit of Buendia, with their interest to be ‘firmed up’ as the Argentine sits atop the playmaker shopping list.

Sticking in Norfolk, eyes have turned to the player who lines up just behind Buendia in the side. Arsenal’s interest in Aarons stretches back a few years and, as per the latest from journalist Freddie Paxton, they are keen to sign him this summer.

Links to Aarons have been long-standing, with clubs across the continent eyeing his prized signature. Moves to Bayern Munich and Barcelona fell through last summer, and this time around there remains significant interest: Tottenham and Manchester United have been mentioned with Everton also in the running.

Watching Arsenal’s core flourish has been the only true source of pleasure this season. The odd result here and there may have brought intervals of elation, but the only continuous enjoyment has come from watching the youth blossom.

This summer is about building around them. However, if it can be added to with players of strong quality, with room for development and a clear pathway in the side, it must be pounced upon. At just 21 years old the ceiling for Aarons remains sky high, while the minor deficiencies in his game have already been tended to over the course of the current campaign.

He won’t come cheap, of that there is no doubt, and the question is whether Arsenal can tempt him over other parties.

Continued…

Can Arsenal Sign Max Aarons From Norwich?

Money comes first and the issue of affordability will be one that crops up in every negotiation Arsenal have over the course of the summer. Various outlets have Aarons’ price sitting at around £30m, which Norwich feel is adequate for his services, not least with a contract running until 2024.

"“He is going to be one of the top footballers and it won’t be at Norwich,” joint majority shareholder Delia Smith said in February."

Bellerin is hoped to accrue around £20m, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles not far off that. Player sales will dictate spending power and with so many gaps to fill and upgrades to target, £30m would nonetheless be a considerable amount of any budget. It is viable, though.

Aarons is a special talent, one of the finest in England, and with such a high calibre of clubs eyeing his purchase, Arsenal find themselves in a tough battle.

In regards to the three (mentioned in the press) interested Premier League sides, United are only seeking backup/competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, which will impact the regular minutes Aarons certainly deserves. Everton are looking for a Seamus Coleman replacement who at 32 years old is heading into his latter years, while Tottenham need better than Serge Aurier with Matt Doherty being a total failure since his arrival from Wolves.

Aarons is a London-born defender and he is said to be keen on a return to the capital, and with the options presented to him three will grant him assumed starting berths. That said, only Wolves and Sheffield United gave more minutes to players under the age of 21 than Arsenal in the Premier League this season, and the shift away from inconsistent senior players to a youthful core could be of interest to Aarons.

The Toffees play a very bland brand of football – but do have his close friend Ben Godfrey on the books – Tottenham are in disarray without a manager and fractured squad, while United can’t guarantee first team minutes.

Nothing is as simple as that and the above doesn’t factor in interest from abroad and the financial packages that would be dished out, but at Arsenal Aarons would be first choice and another building block on the road to a stronger future.

Not being in Europe (or at least meaningful Europe) could impact, but all is dependent on the player.

Aarons would be a wonderful signing. He is the ‘one’. Someone of his age, exceptional energy and attacking output with vast improvements made in his defensive positioning, as well as suiting the all-important homegrown quota, Arsenal could make an investment for the years to come. On the opposite flank the club are looking to cut corners and take the easy route with Ryan Bertrand, whereas on the right this deal would be a crucial cog in the rebuilding machine.

Such talent doesn’t come about very often.