Some Arsenal fans have a suggestion for what should be the club’s next move in the transfer window.
So far this summer, three new faces have arrived at the Emirates Stadium to bolster Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad ahead of the 2021/22 season that gets underway with a trip to Brentford next Friday.
With just over three weeks until deadline day, it’s unlikely that the Gunners’ transfer business will end with Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White – despite spending over £70million combined on all three deals.
Aaron Ramsdale, Lautaro Martinez and James Maddison are just some of the names on Arsenal‘s radar, but some supporters have a rather ambitious transfer target in mind.
Amid Barcelona’s financial troubles that have seen them part ways with Lionel Messi, there’s a demand for the Gunners to take advantage of the situation.
But not for Messi who was actually tempted by the north London outfit all the way back in 2003, according to the 34-year-old’s former agent, Fabian Soldini.
“[Messi] was tempted to go to Arsenal, but he didn’t go,” Soldini told Spanish outlet Marca. “I remember the day that Cesc (Fabregas) asked to leave.
“I remember the day that Cesc (Fabregas) asked to leave. Messi was also asked to go, but he didn’t want to leave.”
Instead of Messi, some Arsenal fans on social media have been sent into a meltdown about a potential – yet unlikely – deal for midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Part of the plea for de Jong to join Arsenal is based on his previous admission about playing for the Gunners prior to moving to the Camp Nou.
“I actually thought Arsenal was pretty beautiful in the past,” he told Voetbal International, as per Sky Sports. “In my mind I have had the following list for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona, call it the Marc Overmars route.
The transfer window is in full swing and things are beginning to ramp up with Edu and Mikel Arteta’s dealings at the Emirates.
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“But yes, if you can go directly to Barcelona, then you are also right where you want to be. Faster than you ever dared to dream.”
Having already skipped the middle step, it would take an extraordinary set of events for de Jong to complete this plan – albeit in an alternative route.
With a release clause of €400million (£339million), that coupled with no European football on offer at the Emirates this season, the chances of signing de Jong – even with Barcelona’s financial situation – are slim to none.