Arsenal make €35m Dejan Kulusevski transfer inquiry at Juventus

Dejan Kulusevski Would Come in as a Direct Nicolas Pepe Replacement

A left-footed right-winger? Arsenal have a couple of those and only one of them is anywhere near the ‘replaceable’ bracket.

In terms of where things have been going slightly wrong for Kulusevski, the fact he hasn’t been nailed down to a fixed position is front and centre of that. The managerial changes at Juventus have brought with them different ideas and systems, and the Swede has suffered in a similar vein to Aaron Ramsey.

When he’s at his best he is a wonderful blend of power, technical ability and speed. His change of pace is frightening, and despite having a lethal left foot he can dribble with both feet and run either side.

His outstanding work rate is demonstrated in the number of pressures he performs in all thirds of the pitch, rating 83rd percentile or higher all over the park, and his work rate in defending is matched with impressive tackling numbers.

Of course, it’s at the top end of the pitch where he is primarily wanted, notching 3.98 SCA p/90, 3.15 of which come from live passes. Those are good numbers which reflect in his xA, which is 95th percentile worthy.

The goals have dried up but so have the minutes. He’s taking far fewer touches in 2021 than he was in he 2019/20 campaign, is carrying the ball less, is attempting half the amount of dribbles and has seen his xG plummet.

Only turning 21 years old back in April, the forward has already clocked up 104 senior appearances to his name on top of the 18 he’s accrued for the Swedish national team, where he is a regular feature. Once again, while there are question marks over the legitimacy of the links, as a profile he fits the description for Arsenal.

Being able to clock up the xA he does despite his infrequent use and ever changing role, for £30m he wouldn’t break the bank. For a team looking more like a transition side by the week, Kulusevski’s elite passing in transition and technical security at pace are intriguing aspects of his profile.

Is he he right man for Arsenal? At this present time there is no desire for a new right-winger. It’s his best position and finding somewhere he can nail that down will be on his agenda – even if he started out at a No. 10 in Atalanta’s youth systems – thus if that were to be in north London it could only be if Nicolas Pepe were to be moved on. That’s something most feel needs to happen.

A swap with Juve perhaps? Unlikely.