Arsenal’s business this transfer window has mainly been marked by the signing of Riccardo Calafiori with Mikel Merino on the verge of joining the club. Fabio Vieira has sealed a loan move back to FC Porto but that’s about it.
The last week of the transfer window is upon us and the Gunners might be keen on making some moves to bolster an already impressive squad. One position they might be looking at is an option on the wing, preferably someone who can do a job on both wings.
Arteta plots surprise move for Ivorian winger Simon Adingra
Reiss Nelson might leave in the last week of the window and that would leave Mikel Arteta with just Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard as options. Could the Gunners now turn to Brighton youngster Simon Adingra as a potential transfer target?
Anyone who follows the Seagulls’ games regularly will know how talented the 22-year-old Ivorian winger is. However, he has seemingly lost his starting berth in Fabian Hurzeler’s team to Yankuba Minteh and could end up leaving before the window closes.
Now, as per Con Harrison, Arsenal could be set to make a late transfer move to sign Adingra. A fee of around £25-30m should be sufficient to land the young winger, as per agents. The Gunners analysts have been studying the player’s game for quite some time now.
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Arsenal analysts have been studying him for some time and it’s thought he could provide sufficient cover/fight for a place across the wings.
Agents suggest a deal can be done for 25 – 30m base.
Arsenal still have other options and are almost certain to bring in cover this…
— Con Harrison (@ConMarbleHalls) August 25, 2024
A solid coup?
It has been mentioned that Arsenal are certain to bring in cover in the wing department in the coming days. Adingra would be open to a move to the Emirates but negotiations with Brentford are not expected to be straightforward. It looks like Edu Gaspar & co. have opened initial talks with the player’s reps.
A right-footed electric winger, Adingra is comfortable playing on both wings which could be down to the fact that he has a very solid left foot too. He has a great eye for a goal and is often seen popping in and around the box from where he can shoot with both feet.
Adingra was given quite a prominent role by Roberto de Zerbi last season but the pecking order seems to have changed. That said, the 22-year-old will know that a move to Arsenal won’t necessarily grant him more game time than what he is getting at the Amex at the moment.
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Bring immediately @Gaspar pic.twitter.com/fh287S5nDi
— chief (@aliladiere) August 25, 2024
The right-wing at the Emirates is locked in for Bukayo Saka whenever fit. The English superstar almost never rotates and his fitness is quite good for him to sustain the entire season. That said, managing minutes is crucial to ensure he doesn’t suffer a burnout.
Adingra would be a good addition to Arsenal but the same cannot be said the other way round. Moving to the Gunners might not be the best course of action for the Ivorian winger at this stage of his career.
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The Gunners might be better off looking at a more established option like Federico Chiesa who is available for a price cheaper than Adingra’s this summer. He has the experience and the know-how of succeeding at a club like Arsenal. We don’t need a project player, we need someone with experience. Let’s see how the club views this situation though in the coming days.
