Pros and cons as Arsenal reportedly chase Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo

Fri 8 February 2019 12:45, UK

Despite the a relatively small transfer budget this summer for Arsenal, they will inevitably do some business.

that just £45 million will be available to boss Unai Emery for close season reinforcements.

The usual speculation as to who their targets could be has already started.

the Gunners are interested in signing Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo.

(Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old has played 34 times for the Portuguese giants this season.

that several top European clubs are also interested in securing his signature.

Time will tell whether this is idle speculation or Emery actually does hold a firm interest in the player.

TBR Football looked at the pros and cons of a potential deal.

So why should Arsenal pull out the stops to land Alex Grimaldo?

Well for starters he is only 23-years-old, which fits in nicely with Arsenal’s ethos of signing younger talent.

Despite his relatively tender years, however, Grimaldo can play.

The left-sided defender came through the world-renowned academy at Barcelona before signing terms at Benfica.

In Portugal, he has quickly become the best left-back in the league.

Another substantial positive is the fact that he represents an upgrade on what the Gunners have currently.

Nacho Monreal has looked poor this season but the fact there is no competition has possibly let him slip towards complacency.

Grimaldo choosing the Gunners over one of his other potential suitors would almost certainly see him play regular football.

So what should make Unai Emery steer well clear of the Benfica defender?

Well, Emery doesn’t have a bottomless pit of money to spend so he needs to tread carefully.

(Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

To spend more than half of his budget on a left-back would represent a risk.

The Gunners could probably do with a centre-back as a more pressing concern; whilst a goalkeeper is a must with Petr Cech retiring.

Add into the mix that Grimaldo hasn’t really played football in a top European league and you could have a recipe for disaster.

Although the former Barcelona B man has played several games with Benfica, it is hardly the most challenging league in Europe.

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