David Ornstein has revealed that although Arsenal like Emiliano Buendia after an 18-month scouting mission, they’re refusing to pay what Norwich City reportedly want for him.
The Gunners are in the market for a creative midfielder this month, as confirmed by technical director Edu.
With Mesut Ozil potentially leaving, Arsenal’s needed for a spark from number 10 will only increase.
Problem is, the Canaries are looking for around £40 million for the Argentine wizard.
And Ornstein, speaking to The Athletic’s YouTube channel, claims that the Emirates Stadium side simply don’t intend to pay that figure.
He said: “Emi Buendia is a player on Arsenal’s list of target but he is not at the very top. He is a player that they’ve scouted for more than 18 months, they’ve liked him in the Premier League & Championship. But they aren’t going to paid the reported £40m fee for him.”
One reason Arsenal might not be willing to stump up those figures is because of Emile Smith Rowe.
The 20-year-old has seriously impressed in the North Londoners’ last three Premier League games – all of which were victories.
And with him being an academy product, Edu and Mikel Arteta may prefer to continue developing him in the senior side rather than spend a fortune on somebody who would render him a bench player.
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