After failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in his tenure, it seems as though the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has lowered his standards in the transfer market even further. After making a statement that he will be looking to sign just ‘one or two’ players this summer, the Frenchman is now being linked with a move for young Henry Onyekuru, who plays as a striker for Belgian side KAS Eupen.
The Nigerian, who is the Belgian first division’s top scorer this season with 23 League goals this season, has turned a lot of heads with his performances this season and the report from Sky Sports claims that the under-fire Arsenal boss is willing to meet the player’s £6.8 million release clause. The report also claims that fellow Premier League sides Everton, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion are also keen on signing the 19-year-old in an attempt to bolster their respective attacking options.
Unfortunately, the fact that it’s Sky that broke the story adds a great deal of credibility to it. Personally, it sickens me that Arsenal are now competing with the likes of Southampton and West Brom for players. At this rate, it will only be a matter of time before the Gunners slip into mid-table mediocrity. Despite a lack of Champions League football, I firmly believe that Arsenal still has been the reputation and financial stability to compete for top-quality talent, but it appears as though Wenger has started with his Europa League-level recruitment.
Peehaps the best case scenario at this point would be if Alisher Usmanov succeeds in his bid to take over the club from Stan Kroenke. While a change of ownership is always a risk as Sir Alex explained recently, surely it is a risk worth taking considering that the club is heading towards mid-table obscurity anyway. The fact Usmanov is passionate towards the cause and ready to splash the cash also works in his favour. But it remains to be seen if Silent Stan will finally budge.
AT