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Arsenal step up Emi Buendia summer transfer pursuit

By Ross Kennerley

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Emi Buendia of Norwich City celebrates with the Sky Bet Championship trophy during the Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Norwich City at Oakwell Stadium on May 8, 2021 in Barnsley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Emi Buendia of Norwich City celebrates with the Sky Bet Championship trophy during the Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Norwich City at Oakwell Stadium on May 8, 2021 in Barnsley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Emi Buendia
Arsenal step up Emi Buendia summer transfer pursuit as Mikel Arteta and Edu prepare firm interest in Norwich forward in coming window. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Arsenal are stepping up their interest in Emi Buendia as Mikel Arteta eyes an injection of creativity for the coming season as the summer transfer window draws near.

On Wednesday night Arsenal were saved from another infuriating result in added time as Martin Odegaard bent a delightful cross into the box for Gabriel Martinelli to bundle home, a timely reminder of what top-class vision can bring to an otherwise uninventive midfield.

His penultimate match in north London until he returns to Real Madrid from his loan, Arteta knows losing a player of his quality can’t go unresolved next season as it had done all the way up until Boxing Day when Emile Smith Rowe was introduced, and among the growing to-do list for the summer, acquiring another playmaker is among the priorities.

Various uninspiring stop-gap options were mentioned in the January window, with Christian Eriksen and Isco two of the ‘easy’ cop-out moves Arsenal have been foolishly making in recent years. Thus, the capture of Odegaard on loan was a superb coup and hinted towards a shift in transfer strategy.

Arsenal step up Emi Buendia summer transfer pursuit as Mikel Arteta and Edu prepare firm interest in Norwich forward

However, being just on loan, securing his signature for another season will prove tricky as Madrid prepare to integrate him for another season under their new manager, who is yet to be named after Zinedine Zidane announced his decision to leave. If he was to be parted with Arsenal will need to pay handsomely, to the tune of around £35m

Other targets must be sounded out instead. Nabil Fekir is among the options, and so is Norwich’s Emi Buendia.

The Argentine was hot property last summer following the Canaries’ relegation from the Premier League. Creating fewer chances than only Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kevin De Bruyne in a season to forget for the Norfolk side, Buendia’s unquestionable ability was one of few bright notes.

Remaining at Carrow Road he has helped fire Daniel Farke’s side straight back up to the top-flight as champions, registering 15 goals and 17 assists, the most of any player in the division.

As per Goal, long-time admirers Arsenal are now ‘stepping up’ their interest.

Continued…

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