Arsenal step up Emi Buendia summer transfer pursuit

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…

Arsenal to Firm Up Interest With Buendia Bid

Arteta remains hopeful that he can bring Odegaard back to north London next season, but that deal could surely only be a loan if the pursuit of Buendia is to be ‘firmed up’.

The reason for that is Norwich will demand around £40m for the 24-year-old, who still has three years on his deal and has just recently been called up by the Argentinian national team. Furthermore, being named the Championship’s Player of the Season, his ever-rising stock puts Norwich is a strong position.

Arsenal believe that Buendia is someone who can make a real difference to their side next season, and while unconfirmed, Arteta make look to use him more centrally as a right-sided No. 8. He’s risen to the top of the playmaker wishlist.

If there was any doubt that his talent may fade off after one or two impressive seasons then those notions have been dispelled by his outstanding statistics in 2020/21: he created more big chances than anyone in the Championship, completed more through balls and completed more passes in the final third.

It’s no wonder Arsenal are keen. They’ve been watching him extensively over his three seasons in England and technical director Edu has began taking the steps to consolidate that interest. Arsenal may hold an edge, too, as Buendia is keen on joining the club this summer.

"“Of course if one of the best clubs in the world wants Emi as a starter and makes an unbelievable offer then it could be a realistic solution for all parties,” Farke said of Buendia. “If there is a club who want to put some crazy offers out then maybe you use this to help the club in the future, but as a head coach my first thought is to work further on with our key players.”"

£40m is a hefty figure for Arsenal to part with, one that needs raising through player sales. Speculation that Willian is ‘expected’ to leave will free up wages and space in the forward line, while midfielders Dani Ceballos, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi are all certainties to depart. Joe Willock has never been more valuable, and Arsenal are set for a substantial cash injection should they opt to sell him.

In all other positions there will be departures, but Arsenal will be desperate to get Buendia’s signing over the line as quick as possible to avoid interest mounting elsewhere. In the case of the owners, this is where they need to show their commitment by providing the cash in advance of sales. Easier said than done, of course, but Buendia is a magnificent talent. Such players don’t come about too often.

He has goals, pace, trickery, stamina, vision and guile. £40m wouldn’t go to waste even if it’s a heck of a lot for a Championship player.