Arsenal Transfers: 3 Raphinha alternatives for Gunners to target

Arsenal were dealt their first major setback of the summer transfer window when Chelsea swooped to snatch Leeds winger Raphinha from their grasp.

The Gunners were pushing hard for the Brazilian, but the Blues have taken firm control of the race after agreeing a £60m deal with Leeds. Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue either.

However, it isn’t all doom and gloom for Mikel Arteta & Co. While Raphinha is an exceptional talent who would’ve fitted seamlessly into the Spaniard’s system, the Gunners weren’t willing to overpay for the 25-year-old. Alternative targets will now be explored.

In a previous piece, I listed Raphinha as one of four wide players the club should target this summer. Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby, PSV’s Cody Gakpo and Sassuolo’s Hamed Traore were the other three.

Stylistically, Diaby remains a brilliant option but would likely cost more than Raphinha, while Gakpo is said to be on Leeds’ radar to replace the departing Brazilian. Traore, meanwhile, doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving Italy anytime soon.

3 alternatives to Raphinha for Arsenal to target

So, I’ve decided to conjure up another list of winger targets. But this time, these are three options that closely resemble Raphinha from a profile perspective.

1. Michael Olise

We all fell in love with Michael Olise a bit last season, didn’t we? The London-born winger was a hit during his first season in the Premier League as he joined an exciting young core at Crystal Palace.

Olise ended the league campaign with just seven goal contributions in 26 appearances, but his talent was laid bare on many occasions. Compared to fellow attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, FBRef ranks him in the 93rd percentile for assists per 90 minutes (0.39), 87th for expected assists per 90 (0.27), 89th for progressive passes (5.13), and 95th for progressive carries (9.54).

The 20-year-old is so direct in possession yet so elegant. He’s a combination of Raphinha and Riyad Mahrez.

Olise is the sort of profile Arteta wants to bolster his forward line, but he will cost a pretty penny if Arsenal opt to pursue the Palace star.

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