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Two Transfers That Could Still Take Place at the Emirates Before the Transfer Window Slams Shut

By on August 25, 2022

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Arsenal’s recruitment this summer has been nothing short of sensational. The arrivals of former Manchester City duo Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined £78.5m have the Gunners faithful ripe with optimism for the first time in many a year. Brazilian centre-forward Jesus has fans particularly excited. Despite being just 25 years of age, the former Palmeiras-man made 159 Premier League appearances for Pep Guardiola’s Blues, scoring 58 times in the competition during his five years at the Etihad Stadium. It is thought that he could be the missing piece to Mikel Arteta’s puzzle. Last season, the North London club were crying out for a goal scorer. Alexandre Lacazette’s work rate could never be questioned, but he simply didn’t score enough goals. Eddie Nketiah stepped in toward the end of the campaign and managed to fire five goals in eight starts. But there can be no denying that Gabriel Jesus is a step up on the young Englishman.

That has been demonstrated by Arsenal’s new number nine’s start to the season. He fired six goals during preseason and has already hit the ground running in the Premier League, bagging twice and assisting three times during the first three games this term. His performances have been a key reason why Arteta’s side have made a perfect start to the new season. Victories against Crystal Palace, Leicester City, and Bournemouth have given his side an early two-point lead at the division’s summit, giving supporters hope of a first top four finish since the days of Arsene Wenger.

But while Arsenal have made a stunning start to the season, it appears that their summer transfer business has not yet concluded. With Arsenal playing continental football once again this season as well as the upcoming FIFA World Cup, their squad needs to be able to handle the huge amount of matches that will take place between now and next May. As such, here are two deals that could happen before the transfer window slams shut.

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Youri Tielemans

Arsenal’s pursuit of Youri Tielemans seems to have lasted all summer long. The Belgian playmaker was one of the very first players the club were linked with at the end of last season, but as September approaches, a deal is yet to be reached with his current club Leicester City.

Tielemans’ class has been evident for all to see in recent seasons. In the three years since his £40m move from AS Monaco, he has scored 24 goals and provided a further 24 assists throughout 162 appearances in all competitions. He has also led the club to European football for two consecutive seasons, as well as securing the FA Cup for the first time in the Foxes’ history – scoring a thumping 25-yard winner against favourites Chelsea at Wembley back in 2021.

Supposedly Leicester City are struggling financially, which means that the 25-year-old would be available for around £30m, and there are few midfielders in world football that would provide such value for money.

Pedro Neto 

Another player that has been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks is Wolves’ Pedro Neto. The Portuguese winger arrived at Molineux from Lazio back in 2019 and has been a hit for the Midlands club over the last three years. Admittedly a knee injury suffered toward the end of the 2020/21 campaign kept the former SC Braga man out for nine months, but upon his return to the first team, he became one of the club’s most impressive performers.

In the new campaign, he has once again carried on in the same vein. He hasn’t yet managed to muster up a goal or assist, but his dribbling ability and work rate have been clear for all to see.

If the rumours are to be believed, Bruno Lage has slapped a £50m price tag on the head of his main man. That does seem a little on the high side, but with the winger aged just 22 years old, that value could increase in years to come should the player develop as expected.