Yunus Musah has been linked with a return to the Premier League but USA legend Eric Wynalda believes the Valencia youngster is unlikely to be anywhere the top of Arsenal’s summer wishlist.
As Southampton supporters will tell you, it’s all well and good attempting to build a squad upon the foundations of youth and potential. But, when you find yourselves staring down the barrel of relegation, you need more James Ward-Prowses than Sam Edozies.
Many of a Valencia persuasion would no doubt agree. They, like Ruben Selles’ Saints, appear to be paying the price for a lack of big-game nous. The average of the 16 players who featured for Valencia during the 2-1 weekend defeat at Cadiz was just shy of 23, and even that average is dragged up by the inclusion of a 36-year-old Edinson Cavani.
Musah, at just 20, is one of many at the Mestalla struggling to cope with such a high-pressure situation.
“Musah is not in a good spot at the moment with Valencia,” Wynalda says on the Action Network’s Wondergoal podcast.
“However, his performances have been enough to warrant interest.”
Will Arsenal re-sign Yunus Musah from Valencia?
They certainly have. According to 90Min, a Liverpool side planning an extensive midfield overhaul scouted the versatile Musah last week. As did an Arsenal side who were disappointed to lose the New York-born enforcer following nine years in their academy back in 2019.
Wynalda, however, does not expect Arsenal to firm up their interest in bringing Musah back to North London unless Mikel Arteta sees a number of priority targets slip through his fingers.
“Musah is on a list of players that Arsenal are targeting,” Wynalda adds. “But certainly (he) is not at the top of the list. There are several other targets that still hold the upper hand as far as they are concerned.
“He’s a back-up plan to a back-up plan.”
As things stand, only goal difference is keeping Valencia – two-time Champions League finalists in recent memory – out of the relegation zone.
Musah’s agent admitted last year that Barcelona had expressed an interest. Valencia, he adds, are likely to demand a fee in the region of £40 million.
Wynalda, meanwhile, believes that Musah would benefit from taking an ‘intermediate’ step when leaving Valencia. Less an step up, more a step diagonal.
“He’s not going to Arsenal. Grow up everybody. Don’t believe everything you read,” Wynalda said a man who scored 34 goals in over 100 USA appearances.
“Start talking other London clubs because that’s the real target. Why not (Fulham)? Look at (fellow Americans Antonee) Robinson and (Tim) Ream right now.
“It’s terrific. What Tim is doing is remarkable.”
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