It’s been a statement summer for Arsenal so far and the Premier League champions are only just getting started. After welcoming Christos Tzolis and, most recently, Bruno Guimaraes, those in North London are in for a busy few weeks ahead of deadline day.
After missing out on Vinicius Junior, who opted to sign a new deal at Real Madrid, Andrea Berta has set his sights on another player who could steal similar headlines in Jules Kounde.
|
Every Arsenal signing 26/27 |
Position |
From |
The impact they’ll have |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bruno Guimarães |
CM |
Newcastle United |
Adds elite Premier League experience, defensive intensity and progressive passing to Arsenal’s midfield, giving Mikel Arteta another dominant option in the centre. |
|
Christos Tzolis |
LW/RW |
Club Brugge |
Brings pace, direct running and a greater goal threat from wide areas, while his ability to play on either flank gives Arteta additional attacking flexibility. |
|
Illan Meslier |
GK |
Leeds United |
Adds experienced goalkeeping depth and competition, giving Arsenal another reliable option in the squad. |
Arsenal have admired the Barcelona defender for some time and could finally be in a position to secure his signature just over a week before the new campaign gets underway.
With Jurrien Timber set to miss the start of the season, a new right-back of Kounde’s quality wouldn’t be a bad idea. Add in the speculation surrounding Ben White’s future as well as rumours that Myles Lewis-Skelly could be heading for an exit and a deal for the Frenchman becomes all the more necessary.
The right-back could be the blockbuster arrival that Berta has been seeking all summer.
He’s played on the biggest stages, pocketed some of the world’s best wingers, and is still at the peak of his powers. Alongside Tzoliz and Guimaraes, Kounde’s arrival would indicate that another Premier League title is on its way to North London this season.
Arsenal gifted green light to sign Jules Kounde
According to Sport in Spain, Arsenal have been gifted the green light to sign Kounde this summer. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick no longer sees the defender as an important player and the Catalan giants would accept a big-money offer for his signature.
Those at the Emirates are reportedly prepared to launch an offer if the Frenchman heads for the exit door, as they scour the market for a defender who can play both right-back and centre-back.
With less than a month until the transfer window slams shut, things could have to move quickly, but Kounde would certainly prove worthwhile. It wasn’t so long ago that the defender was at the centre of Flick’s praise even if the manager is no longer ready to rely on him.
“It’s Unbelievable. I have never experienced this before. After the match, he wants to train. He is a great professional and takes excellent care of his physical condition. In every training session, he wants to give it his all. This attitude is not common, but it’s very good.”
It’s now up to Arsenal to turn their interest into an offer, as they set their sights on another elite defender for Mikel Arteta. Whether that ends in Kounde completing a move to North London ahead of the deadline remains to be seen, however.
