Arsenal have needs in both midfield and attack which must be addressed in the summer transfer window. However, there will be plenty more than just the two positions to focus on considering the possible departures from the team.
More are expected in the coming months and football.london has had it revealed by sources close to Cedric Soares that the player has not closed a door to an exit from Arsenal in the near future.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is the unequivocal starter and his performances have far outshone what the Portuguese has contributed to Arsenal this season.
Arsenal replaced Sead Kolasinac with Nuno Tavares who has offered considerably more value than the Bosnian. Arsenal must approach replacing Cedric in the same fashion. Finding a young, good value and quality full-back to support the Japanese international.
Below are three possible options that fulfil the criteria that could be targeted by Edu and the recruitment team this summer.
Noussair Mazraoui – Ajax – 24 – Free
Noussair Mazraoui presents an option to Arsenal whereby all the financial focus can be directed elsewhere. Out of contract at the end of the season, the Moroccan international has continued to show his attacking flair despite his time in Amsterdam seemingly coming to an end.
Five goals and three assists this season so far for a full-back provides a serious impression of what the 24-year-old could bring to the Arsenal team. A strong contrast to Tomiyasu would give Mikel Arteta plenty more to consider when selecting his team.
When combined with the fact he could be brought in for free, it is close to being a no brainer. The only drawback is a long injury history but barring a lengthy eye problem, there is nothing major to turn off the Gunners.
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Joao Mario – Porto – 22 – £9 million
Previously covering Joao Mario, the 22-year-old was likened to Nuno Tavares. The pair shared plenty of similarities. Both early twenties fullbacks coming through at one of Portugal’s biggest clubs and having represented their nation at youth level.
Mario, however, has greater first-team experience for his club Porto than Tavares did for Benfica. Whilst the Arsenal man had Alex Grimaldo to contend with, Mario broke into the Porto starting eleven and held down the right-back slot before an injury cost him the spot.
However, after missing three matches the Portugal under-21 international is fighting his way back. Two assists this season show his offensive capability and valued at just £9 million, he could be another reasonably priced steal from the Primeira Liga.
Pedro Porro – Manchester City – 22 – £22.5 million
Lastly is a higher calibre option that would be the trickiest to tie down. Pedro Porro is a long term employee of the City Football Group. Brought through the Girona under 19s, Porro was signed by Man City before being loaned to Real Valladolid and most recently a two-year loan to Sporting Lisbon.
In Portugal, the now full senior Spanish international has come to life as one of the continent’s most exciting young fullbacks. Four goals and four assists this season is already more than the entirety of Porro’s 2020/21 contribution. The Spaniard is on an upward trajectory.
Sporting have the option to buy Porro outright but Man City have a reported €20 million buy-back clause (£16.8m). This could complicate any potential deal for Arsenal, but the added meticulous nature of the move may well be worth dealing with to land a strong competitor for the Gunners’ right-back spot.
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