Arsenal’s move for PSG Belgian right-back, Thomas Meunier (27) has suffered a set back. The London club had shown firm interest in Meunier and a fee of £22m had been suggested but Arsenal were then joined in the bidding by Manchester United.
Arsenal have held talks with PSG over Meunier but fear their limited funds and lack of Champions League football mean they miss out on the deal. Emery has made the Belgian a top priority though the Arsenal board are worried the deal will eat up 50% of transfer budget. pic.twitter.com/K1tA6pA6Fe
— Transfer News (@TransfersLlVE) June 4, 2019
However, it appears that both may miss out because the defender with just a year left on his contract wants to stay to fight for his place in the side. Meunier said,
“I want to stay. We have been talking about a contract extension for a while, but there’s no offer on the table any more. I’m ready to stay in Paris. Everybody knows.”
Of course, should a spectacular offer arrive, all this positive, accommodating bullshit will disappear as Meunier closes the lid on his suitcase but realistically, there are much better alternatives for Meunier in the market, who will serve Arsenal for longer.
In the meantime, former gunners legend, Ian Wright has suggested Unai Emery go for experience and that he snap up Roma’s Daniele De Rossi (35) who is leaving the Serie A club as a free agent this summer.
Some of you may think that he’s lost the plot or that even considering the player smacks of desperation but hold on. Although De Rossi is the wrong side of thirty he is an extremely competitive and combative midfielder, ideal for the big grudge games against the top six competition.
Arsenal need to bring in De Rossi from Roma ! We’ll get 15 games out of him, it won’t cost hardly any money, and the experience he could pass on to the likes of Willock and the other youngsters could be invaluable and money well spent. 🤔
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) June 3, 2019
He is not the player he once was and would have to be carefully managed to get the maximum from him but his experience and instinct would be a genuine bonus for the cash strapped club. Even if he wasn’t playing De Rossi would add quality and class to the bench, increasing the available options. It may seem like another Lichtsteiner move but it really isn’t.
Del Rossi has at least two years left and could be influential to the academy players at a time when Emery is forced to promote the youngsters earlier than expected.
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Brave, focused and able to time his challenges to perfection, Del Rossi is a slower version of Torreira in many respects. His pace has slowed but his football brain has ensured that his ability to think ahead draws him to the right position to get a foot in.
I tend to agree with Wrighty, he’ll cost next to nothing and could make a considerable difference in the transitional period by adding stability and reliability. Emery needs to be thrifty and extremely clever to breath life into a depleted squad and Del Rossi would be a very smart option. But with Meunier, it may turn out to be a big gamble to splash money on a player who cannot serve longer to the club.
Arsenal are in advanced talks with PSG right-back Thomas Meunier, having offered him a 5-year-deal, with both clubs now looking to finalize a deal. [@NicoSchira] #afc pic.twitter.com/sZfpXCY24A
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 30, 2019
Meunier might be able to provide the necessary back up Arsenal were craving for due to the long term injury to Bellerin but it might not be a smart buy given the age of the player and the money Arsenal have to spend on signing him.
