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Arsenal manager Unai Emery has expressed his interest in bringing Barcelona man Andre Gomes to Emirates Stadium.
The Spaniard has already secured the signatures of Sokratis, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Bernd Leno, as well as edging ever closer to a deal involving Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira.
He is keen on enticing Gomes to north London, too, and says he is willing to sell in order to create funds to aid the transfer.
Gomes found it difficult to get any sort of run together in the Barca team last season. He made a meagre 16 LaLiga appearances, failing to accumulate a goal or an assist. His Champions League statistics were equally dire.
His solitary assist came in the Copa del Rey earlier in the campaign, and he was often pushed to the sidelines by Barcelona’s star-studded midfield.
Andres Iniesta’s move to Japanese outfits Vissel Kobe might make space for Gomes. However Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets look far more likely to fill the centre midfield positions, with Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho options to go out wide.
It looks admittedly tough for Gomes to have any chance of consistent game time in Catalonia. But Emery’s intent on getting him to Arsenal means he would surely garner more momentum in England.
He seems a decent fit for Emery’s method, and the rebuilding project has started to take shape, suggesting the Arsenal board wouldn’t hesitate in continuing this busy summer.
Arsenal have already forked out sizeable funds to get three transfers over the line already. It means some players might have to make way for the Portuguese, should the interest ramp up even more.
Emery might involve an Arsenal player in a potential deal, however the rumours are still fresh.
Barcelona are reportedly demanding approximately £30 million for Gomes. That means Emery will probably have to send some Arsenal men in the opposite direction, if his intentions are genuine.
