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Arsenal are reportedly about to make a transfer gamble which might just turn out to be a masterstroke – TBR View
Arsenal are reportedly close to making their first new signing of the summer.
Spanish outlet have claimed that the Gunners are on the verge of signing Alvaro Morata.
Arsenal have reportedly made an offer of around €30m (£25.5m) for the Atletico Madrid striker.
Indeed, the Gunners are apparently ‘very close’ to securing the former Juventus loanee’s services.
Arsenal are in need of bolstering their attacking ranks this summer.
Admittedly, Eddie Nketiah is apparently signing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Assuming Alexandre Lacazette leaves in summer, this would leave one senior striker at Arsenal.
Plenty of centre-forwards have been linked with the Gunners in recent months.
The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Victor Osimhen and Lautaro Martinez are apparently potential targets.
Morata has as well, but now, if the Sport report is accurate, then Arsenal may be about to sign him.
There has been a to the report on social media.
Nonetheless, Morata to Arsenal may just work as a signing.
Although he struggled at Chelsea, he has developed as a player since then.
Morata may feel he has a point to prove in the Premier League, and Arsenal may just give him that chance.
While the Spaniard hasn’t been a prolific scorer, his style of play is such that he could offer a lot to the Gunners.
“One of the most tactically intelligent players in this generation”
Pramit Bardhan wrote a very insighful article about Morata’s style of play on earlier this year.
“Morata likes to drop deep down between the opposition’s midfield and backline to receive with his back turned on the goal,” he wrote.
“This helps in creating space for the midfielders to run into.
“He is very adept at finding acute passing angles for midfielders and defenders to progress the ball forward in buildup play.
“Not only that, he also tends to drop into the halfspaces to create overloads with the fullbacks and midfielders, and with his incredible passing range, switches the play to the isolated winger/fullback.
“For me, Morata is one of the most tactically intelligent players in this generation, a master in attacking and creating space for his teammates.
“Such a forward, can not and should not be judged on the basis of goals scored or assists made. His influence is far more.”
Experience and support for a relatively low price
Morata tends to play as a centre-forward, but can also feature on the left wing.
This would be handy if rumours of Arteta turning Gabriel Martinelli from a left-winger to a striker are true.
Furthermore, Arsenal’s first-choice front line – assuming Lacazette leaves – is currently really young.
As things stand, you’d have Gabriel Martinelli (20) or Emile Smith Rowe (21) on the left. Then Nketiah (22) in the middle, and finally Bukayo Saka (20) on the right.
Morata, 29 and with experience at the highest level, could help his less experienced attacking teammates out well.
And £25.5million is not a bad price, all things considering.
It may look like a controversial move and potentially a gamble at first. But this move could well end up being a masterstroke (if true).
After all, Aaron Ramsdale was an unpopular signing in the beginning, but it turned out to be a superb acquisition.