Arsenal had put an offer on the table for Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez, according to reports in Spain.
What’s the word?
The 28-year-old has found himself fall down the pecking order at the Galacticos this season after the arrivals of Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for £56.3m and Eden Hazard from Chelsea for £130m.
Vazquez has found himself involved in just four games in all competitions this season, as opposed to the last campaign where was included on 37 occasions and scored just two goals.
El Desmarque claimed that Arsenal are among the likes of AS Roma and Bayer Leverkusen who have placed bids for the Spain international, with the German-outfit rumoured to be leading the charge.
The Galacticos have valued the player at £17m and his contract runs out in the summer of 2021 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
No more wingers
Arsenal smashed their club record in signing the Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe for £72m from Lille in the summer. Yes, it was an enormous risk. However, he needs to be given time to gel into the squad. With the uprise of youngster Bukayo Saka in Unai Emery’s side, the youngster must be prioritised.
Saka, 18, has had a positive start to the new campaign with one goal in five games in all competitions, particularly his outing against Manchester United at Old Trafford and was singled out for praise by Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane, per the Metro.
Despite Vazquez being a more proven performer in the Champions League, he had an appalling campaign last season and is a player that sparks huge debate in Spain.
Pepe has a much better record and it’s easy to see why Emery chose the Ivorian over the Spaniard. Last season, the 24-year-old was in scintillating form as he scored 22 goals in 38 Ligue 1 games for Lille and conjured up 11 assists.
Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger gave his verdict on the African-native and said that he needs time to adapt to life in England, per the Express. If he is given that time by Emery and plays plenty of games, his form from last season can be replicated.
With Saka emerging as a reliable squad player and with the return of Alexandre Lacazette still to come, the Gunners’ have more than enough reinforcements in midfield and should overlook Vazquez altogether.