talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has dropped a positive Arsenal transfer update regarding a key target, although Mikel Arteta might need to offload some players to make a deal happen.
What’s the word?
Crook was recently speaking to GIVEMESPORT about Arsenal target Yeremy Pino, saying:
“I think, maybe, it might be a bit rich. I think Villarreal are looking for about £40 million.
“Obviously Arsenal have already spent in excess of £100 million in addition to the £100 million-plus they spent last summer. I think they would probably need to shift people out to make that happen. But there’s definitely an interest.”
This update will give the supporters an added boost as the club look to add at least one more player to the squad.
Imagine him and Gabriel Jesus
Arteta might need to offload one or two players to make a deal for Pino happen, and with Nicolas Pepe reportedly closing in on a loan move to Nice, it might happen sooner rather than later.
Starting the Premier League campaign with three wins from three has generated a feel-good atmosphere around the club again and Pepe's exit could pave the way for yet more excitement as Arteta looks to add the final piece to his jigsaw in Pino.
They might have to pay £42.2m to secure his signature, but it would be well worth it. Presenter and pundit Jack Collins once dubbed him as the “real deal” and a move to England under the watchful eye of Arteta and his footballing philosophy will only lead to further improvement.
In La Liga last season, the Spaniard played 31 matches, scoring six goals and registering four assists for Villarreal as they finished seventh, while also netting once in their excellent Champions League run where they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Liverpool.
Pino has also made his mark on the international stage, making four appearances for Spain, and even scored in the 5-0 win over Iceland in March.
He could form an excellent duo with new signing Jesus, with the Spaniard making 0.8 key passes and completing 0.8 dribbles per match in La Liga last season. As a result, the Brazilian would be able to feed off his ability to create chances for others.
Indeed, with Pino ranking in the top 1% of players in Europe's top leagues for dribbles that lead to a goal, it says all you need to know about where Jesus could generate his own goals from.
The Brazil international has started his Arsenal career in some form, scoring seven times during pre-season and then bagging twice in competitive action so far. Although he has the services of the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, adding another playmaker like Pino would certainly do him no harm.
It’s a move that makes perfect sense for Arsenal, and with Arteta riding on the crest of a wave right now, it could be the ideal time to make his move.