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Arsenal target swoop to sign £36m South American attacker as Arteta eyes 5th signing

By on September 3, 2020

According to reports via the Daily Star, Arsenal are targeting a shock move to sign West Ham attacker Felipe Anderson as Mikel Arteta looks to further strengthen his squad this summer.

Arteta recently splashed out £27m on centre-back Gabriel while defenders Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares have made their loan moves permanent. Arsenal have also added to our attack after snapping-up Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea.

Most reports right now are linking us with central midfielders such as Thomas Partey or Houssem Aouar as we desperately need to strengthen in the middle of the park with Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira expected to leave.

However, it seems Arteta is still looking to add to his attacking options before the window closes as the Daily Star are citing Football Insider as reporting that Arsenal are targeting a surprise move to sign Felipe Anderson.

The South American made his name at Lazio and before making a shock move to join West Ham in a £36m deal two years ago. At the time, it was seen as a major coup for the Hammers as Anderson was excellent in Serie A.

However, he’s struggled to replicate that kind of form in England as he’s contributed 11 goals and 10 assists in his 67 appearances for West Ham in all competitions and he fell out of favour under David Moyes last season.

The report suggests that West Ham are now ready to cash-in on the 27-year-old as they look to raise money for new signings but want a fee close to the £36m they paid Lazio for his services in 2018.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be prepared to match that figure but money is tight at the Emirates so I can’t see us paying anywhere near £36m for the Brazilian attacking midfielder.

Anderson showed huge quality at Lazio and did reasonably well during his first season at West Ham but he was very poor last season and I really don’t get the need for Arsenal to sign him this summer.

He predominantly plays from the left wing and we are well stocked in that department. If Arteta wants to add some creativity to our ranks then we should be buying a central midfield playmaker who can be the link between midfield and attack.

Anderson has the ability to do that role but I don’t think he works hard enough to fit into Arteta’s system and we’d be far better off using the money to go after other targets.

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