Arsenal: Two attacking targets that will improve the Gunners
Willian is out of contract at the end of the season and Barcelona is looking to offload Coutinho. Will these two potential transfer targets make the difference for Arsenal?
According to reports via The Sun, the agent of Willian and Coutinho is looking to add the pair to Arsenal’s ranks which would be a major coup for Mikel Arteta.
The Chelsea winger has been in fine form in recent weeks since the restart of the Premier League. In his last 7 matches, he has scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists which are fairly good stats considering the Brazilian is already 31 years old.
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Coutinho‘s season has been above average at Bayern Munich, the loanee has scored 8 and provided 6 assists for the German side. Unfortunately, they are not looking to retain his services on a permanent basis and his parent club wants him off the books.
They are looking to add more appropriate targets and want to free up enough wages for the new incomings. Barcelona appears to have been hit quite hard by the pandemic and are exploring all possibilities for a Phil exit.
"Coutinho, 28, has spent this season on loan at Bayern Munich where he has helped them claim the domestic double, but it is unlikely they will turn his stay into a permanent transfer."
If Arsenal does manage to acquire the services of both Brazilians surely they would have to negotiate their wages, probably having to consider a drop in salary.
Willian earns £1380,00-per-week while Coutinho earns a whopping £240,000-per-week. The Gunners would have to get rid of some of the players in their current squad to make way for the two countrymen.
What Willian and Coutinho has to offer
Even though the Gunners would benefit from having Willian in the squad, Arteta would more than likely want to build a younger team with likes of Bukayo Saka (17), Joe Willock (19) and Reiss Nelson (19) all getting regular game time this season. Based on the way the Gunners are set up, Willian would be a back up to Nicolas Pépé and/or Aubameyang.
Willian can bring some much-needed experience to the Arsenal line up where Coutinho will provide creativity, which they currently lack in the middle of the park. Ultimately, would Willian want to make a move to another Premier League team or would he fancy himself in another league like the Serie A?
"The 31-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to join the Gunners’ rivals Tottenham with Jose Mourinho looking to be reunited with the player. (Via The Sun)"
Willian would be a player not short of options when he becomes a free agent, however, the soon to be ex-Chelsea man may want to to take his time and take the best path and next step in his career.
Coutinho, on the other hand, would be looking for a team to reignite his career and making a move to the North London side while working under Arteta looks to be a great option. The attacking midfielder would make the starting XI. He has experience playing in the Premier League and would probably take a pay-cut to help the move go through.
Barcelona is also thought to be interested in a swap deal with Mattéo Guendouzi going the other way. The young Frenchman has fallen out of favour with his gaffer and has been provided no game time since the match against Brighton.
This would ideally be a win-win situation for the Spanish giants. As aforementioned, they desperately need to get the Brazilian International off their books.
"Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano announced on social media that Arsenal have been offering Guendouzi to clubs with the player having no future at the Emirates.Asked by a fan on what is the latest on Guendouzi, he tweeted: “Arsenal are offering him to many clubs to find a good swap deal.“Let’s see. Transfers market has just started.” via The Sun"
Coutinho would be a direct replacement for Mesut Özil should the German become surplus to Arteta’s plans. Özil is currently the highest-paid player for Arsenal, earning £350,000-per-week and is currently not playing due to injury which would be a headache for the owners especially in this current economy.
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Both the Brazilians would make a huge difference and bring some positive attacking energy to the London side, enabling Arteta to tweak his strategy and tactics accordingly.
Arteta’s showing signs of how he wants the club to move forward, but he just doesn’t have the right players to do so. If the Gunners do not break the bank and make some major signings in the up and coming transfer window they’re going to end up in the same position as they are in currently.