It’s that time of the year again where everybody becomes experts on football transfers. A quick YouTube search to watch a player’s highlight reel and suddenly we’re all pundits. Luckily for Arsenal, though, this time round they won’t be forced into signing players that nobody has heard of. With the backing from the board and Champions League revenue, the world is Mikel Arteta’s oyster.
However, it won’t be as simple as it is to manage Chelsea. Unfortunately, there are transfer protocols and strategies which Arsenal must follow since that club isn’t a playground.
According to Metro, Mikel Arteta is likely to be handed his very first transfer ultimatum of the summer transfer window soon. It’s thought that he’ll have to choose between signing Declan Rice or Moises Caicedo, since not both of them can be signed together.
The decision makes sense. Signing both Rice and Caicedo doesn’t make sense, not just financially but tactically. Of course, their price tags come into consideration when assessing a double transfer. Furthermore, they’re both similar players who play in the number 6 role, which Thomas Partey already occupies, so to sign one boosts the squad but signing both just confuses it.
If you were to ask me which player I’d prefer, I’d honestly have no clue how to answer you. Both players are of the same calibre and both would immensely benefit Mikel Arteta in his bid for the title next season. I guess it would just come down to the price and ease of negotiation with either West Ham or Brighton.
Given that Arsenal are dabbling quite heavily into the free agent market today, this could prove beneficial to them in the long run. It would mean that they have spare financial resources they can use on a blockbuster signing such as Rice or Caicedo.
Who do you think Arsenal should choose between Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo?