Arsenal 'willing to offer Willock or Nelson' in deal for Buendia'
Arsenal ‘are willing to offer Joe Willock or Reiss Nelson in a player-plus-cash deal for £40m-rated Norwich star Emiliano Buendia’… with Mikel Arteta desperate to improve his squad in the January transfer window
- Mikel Arteta is seeking an overhaul of his squad during the January window
- The Gunners had a poor start to the season in which the squad lacked creativity
- Emiliano Buendia was one of the league’s most creative players last season
- Arsenal could be willing to offer Joe Willock or Reiss Nelson in return to Norwich
Arsenal are reportedly considering a player-plus-cash deal to persuade Norwich City to sell highly-rated midfielder Emiliano Buendia.
Mikel Arteta’s side has been lacking in creativity so far this season, and the Gunners boss desperately wants to improve his squad during the January transfer window.
Despite Norwich’s relegation from the Premier League last season, Buendia was one of the most creative players in the entire division.
Creative midfielder Emiliano Buendia is said to be a target for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
The Gunners would reportedly be willing to offer Reiss Nelson or Joe Willock in return
The Independent have now reported that Arteta is a big admirer of the Argentinian and is keen to bring him to the Emirates.
Buendia could provide some much-needed creativity and fluidity to his side, and Arteta is considering offering a player in return plus cash.
Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson are among the players Arsenal are believed to be willing to offer Norwich.
It’s said there have already been discussions with Buendia about a potential deal, although it is still considered to be some way off.
Norwich would want at least £40m, but it is felt a player like Willock or Nelson could tempt the Championship leaders to cash in.
Buendia’s superb goal for the Championship leaders against Barnsley at the weekend – a cushioned first-time volley across the keeper after meeting Kenny McLean’s lofted 40-yard pass – was his seventh of the season and well-timed to spark rumours.
Norwich manager Daniel Farke during his post-match conference refused to speak about rumours surrounding his star’s future.
He said: ‘Emi is a key player for us, an important member of the group, and he is totally committed to us.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been lacking in creativity after a poor start to their league campaign
Only Kevin De Bruyne bettered Buendia’s key pass rate per match in the league last season
‘He is our player and will continue to be our player. He is on a long-term contract so we keep him.
‘Everyone knows his qualities – I don’t expect interest just because he scored a wondergoal today. People know what he can do.’
The Argentinian’s key pass rate of 3.3 per match last season was bettered only by Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne while he created 70 chances for Norwich last season – only the Belgian midfielder and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold managed more.
Buendia has been linked with a move to the Emirates for some time but only recently has the player’s representatives commented on a potential move.
The midfielder’s management company, Twenty Two Sports Management, appeared to hint that the player wants to move to north London after an Arsenal fan brought up the move via Instagram.
Nelson and Willock are both 21-years-old and have shown promise since breaking into the Gunners’ first-team.
Willock has made 15 first-team appearances for Arsenal this season, however he started just two Premier League games and is largely used as a substitute.
Winger Nelson has not featured in the past month though is down to injury trouble rather than being cast aside.
The midfielder’s representative recently hinted the player wants to move to north London
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