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Report: Arsenal to pursue £25m ‘plan B’ as Chelsea edge closer to Raphinha signing

Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by David Horton - CameraSport via Getty Images
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Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Arsenal are to pursue a deal for ‘plan B’ Noa Lang as Chelsea close in on a move to sign Leeds United star Raphinha. Reports indicate Chelsea are close to sealing a deal for the Brazilian.

Lang, 23, has spent two stellar seasons at Belgian side Club Brugge, initially joining on loan during the 2020-21 campaign before signing permanently last summer. He has had a hand in 52 goals during 85 appearances.

Two Belgian titles, and now the Netherlands international has hit sights set on a move. He has admitted he wants to leave this summer, with West Ham among his admirers. Voetbal24 rate him in the region of £25million.

With Raphinha edging closer to Chelsea, Arsenal are now set to turn their attention to Lang. The report brands him as a ‘plan B’ for Arsenal, a player that journalist Bart Lagae once branded “better than Nicolas Pepe”.

Arsenal pursue plan B Lang as Chelsea close in on Raphinha

Lang would be a stunning signing for the Gunners. Young, ambitious, tenacious and arguably cheap at less than £30million. But the question is, would he be happy coming to Arsenal to arguably sit on the bench?

With Arsenal in the Europa League, he will certainly get game time. But when Mikel Arteta is playing his best side, surely Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli remain first choice on the flanks. Lang may have to be first reserve.

If Lang is happy to do that and come off the bench here and there as a substitute, and start in the Cups, then it is a no-brainer. But he if he is unwilling to do so, Arsenal should think again – given his attitude could be an issue.

Noa Lang arsenal
Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images