Arsenal were rejected by two stars who moved to European giants – but now, the Gunners might sign them both
(Image credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal could tie up deals for two players who have previously rejected them this summer.
The Gunners' market movement has been littered with obstacles since Mikel Arteta took the Arsenal job in 2019, with a number of high-profile targets failing to come to fruition. Most recently, Mykhaylo Mudryk chose Chelsea over the Gunners and Moises Caicedo wasn't allowed to leave Brighton & Hove Albion in January, while the summer before, Lisandro Martinez moved to Manchester United over the north Londoners, while Pedro Neto and Douglas Luiz were denied moves by their employers.
Sporting director Edu Gaspar's tenure has been categorised by refusing to pay over what the club believes the odds are for players – but in the case of two stars, Arsenal may get a second chance to land their targets.
Arsenal's Edu doesn't pay over the odds for players (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
According to the Mail, Barcelona are happy to let former Leeds United man, Raphinha, leave just one season after making a £50 million switch from the Premier League.
Barça have financial concerns to wrangle with, meaning that Arsenal now have another chance to move for the Brazilian after competing with Barcelona and Chelsea for his signature last summer.
The news of Raphinha's impending availability follows that of Dusan Vlahovic, who GiveMeSport recently claimed could make the move to north London – some 18 months after choosing Juventus instead.
The Old Lady were previously deducted 15 points but after the points were reinstated, look set for Champions League football again next season. The Evening Standardclaim that Arsenal are in the market for another physical forward, opening the possibility of the Serbian striker winding up at the Emirates Stadium after all.
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Raphinha may be sacrificed by Barcelona this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)
With Arsenal boasting the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe as options in their frontline, the Gunners may look to sell one player this summer, with academy graduate Folarin Balogun also impressing on a loan spell at Reims.
Raphinha is valued at €50m by Transfermarkt, while Vlahovic is thought to be worth €75m.
More Arsenal stories
Arsenal are already being linked with a host of big names ahead of a summer back in the Champions League.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
