Arsenal fans are again lamenting their club’s transfer business with Emi Buendia set to join Aston Villa.
The Norwich playmaker was on the club’s radar last summer after the Canaries’ relegation.
A January move was again touted before Arsenal added Martin Odegaard on loan.
Many expected the Gunners to return with a fresh offer this summer but it looks as if Villa have won the race for Buendia’s signature.
The Midlands outfit are set to pay a club record fee of around £30m to sign the Argentine.
Arsenal want to sign an attacking midfielder this summer and may now have to review their shortlist. Odegaard is by no means guaranteed to stay with his transfer fee potentially a huge stumbling block.
This is nothing new for the Emirates faithful however who have seen their side miss out on several transfer targets over the years.
“I have zero faith in Arsenal. It genuinely wouldn’t surprise me if Buendia was our only target,” said one.
“If Arsenal fail to sign either Buendia and Odegaard, just sack everyone,” added another.
A third lamented the club’s strategy, saying: “Were on Plan C for a CAM …. After Ødegaard and Buendia ….. Holy s*** we are a shambles of a club”.
Whilst a fourth said: “If we lose out on Buendia, I will be disappointed but not surprised. Arsenal have never been a club who just go in & pay the asking price.”
Mikel Arteta may now have to go back to the drawing board regarding his summer targets.
The likes of Houssem Aouar was on the Gunners radar last summer but opted against leaving Lyon.
Philippe Coutinho too has been linked with a Premier League return as Barcelona prepare to cut their losses.
Former Gunner Nigel Winterburn has cautioned the north Londoners against signing the Brazilian however.
He told Goal : “I wouldn’t go down that line, we’ve got a lot of young talent coming through.
“Unless he would be on the right wages or if there was a way to fit him in then it could be an option.
“It’s been touted around so much I don’t believe it’ll happen. Coutinho was very good at Liverpool, but since then I’ve not been impressed and I’m not convinced by it.”
