Arsenal target Emi Buendia drops future hint as talks escalate

Arsenal Want Emi Buendia as First Summer Signing

Richard Garlick started his role as Arsenal’s director of football operations recently and is eager to get off on the right footing. Coming into the replace Huss Fahmy as the key contract negotiator, he will also provide some much-needed support to Edu and Arteta. The Brazilian may find the deals, but Garlick will help close them.

The Mail report that he wants to start his tenure – brought forward by the Super League scandal – with the signing of Buendia. Discussions have escalated ‘quickly’ as the impending Aston Villa bid draws near, with Norwich keen to have the entire issue put to bed early on so they can work on their own replacements.

Offers of around £35m plus add-ons are imminent at Carrow Road and Buendia’s future is due to be resolved early if talks continue at the rate they are.

Escalating at such pace, Arsenal’s opening bid continues to be mooted, which would constitute a complete change of process for the club. So often deals are dragged out until the latter stages, where either deadline day announcements follow or news of a collapse.

How important Garlick will be throughout this summer and beyond can’t be understated. He isn’t going to arrive and immediately make Arsenal a transfer titan who can close every deal at whatever price they want, but he is richly experienced head in a sea of rookies flying their own flags. Just his simple know-how will be a vital ingredient.

What is oh-so crucial, however, is the Gunners’ decision making. There is no time to waste on Buendia who is garnering huge interest, thus the club has to decide what to do with Martin Odegaard. Their budget can’t stretch for both. They need an answer from Real Madrid and a stance either way, or they risk missing out on Buendia.

If they dally and then can’t afford Odegaard, they’re back at square one. Arteta mentioned being ‘ruthless’, which means making tough decisions, but quick ones. They have to act fast on this.