According to the latest reports, Premier League giants Arsenal are looking to snap up a deal to sign Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the upcoming summer transfer window. The English defender has impressed with his incredible performances and looks certain to be snapped up by some top clubs in the country’s top flight.
Ever since Unai Emery took charge of Arsenal in the summer of 2018 he has done quite an incredible job by replacing Arsene Wenger. The French manager was in charge of Arsenal for 22 long years and he won quite a few trophies during his stellar rein. During his time in charge, Wenger took Arsenal football club to the top of English football once again and got them competing for major honors, as well as changed the whole landscape of the club.
During the 69-year-old’s last few years as manager of Arsenal, there was a pattern of poor performances and papering over the cracks as the new generation of managers outsmarted and outwitted Wenger. His football grew stale and stagnant and even the most ardent of Arsenal fans wanted him out of the club.
Finally, last summer, when Wenger left, Emery brought in a breath of fresh air into the club as Arsenal are currently occupying a top 4 spot in the Premier League and the Gunners also made it to the quarterfinals of the Europa League tournament. The North London side also went on a 22 game unbeaten streak across all competitions this season as Emery stamped his authority on the club. Although some key players will be leaving in the coming summer transfer window, almost every signing that Emery made last summer has done well so far this term.
The Spanish boss is well aware that he needs to re-enforce his squad if Arsenal is to compete for major trophies next season. Hector Bellerin’s growth and maturity under Emery was astonishing until a major injury meant that he would be out on the sidelines for quite a while. And Stephan Lichtsteiner has not really been able to fill in his boots at right back and neither has Shkodran Mustafi been able to do an impressive job.
Therefore Arsenal is looking to a high quality right back in the summer in order to step up their defense. A right back that can join the attack but also have a sense of awareness that he needs to remain back and keep that back line locked. The one player who fits the bill at the moment is Crystal Palace superstar Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The 21-year-old is lightning fast on the flanks and has the assiduousness to defend as well, but the London outfit is not willing to let Wan-Bissaka leave for anything under £40m.
If Arsenal is to bring Wan-Bissaka to the Emirates Stadium they may have to offload some players or offer another young talent Ainsley Maitland-Niles in exchange for the Palace defender. Apart from the Gunners, their west London rivals Chelsea and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are also in the race to sign Wan-Bissaka, but Arsenal are currently leading the pack.
The Blues are looking for a long-term replacement for Cesar Azpilicueta and the player could surely fill that void, if the move does happen. However, there is a lot of competition for his services and only time will tell whether the move will happen or not.
