Transfer expert Christian Falk has suggested that Arsenal will dip into the market to again after signing Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
With the arrival of Gyokeres imminent, Mikel Arteta will have solved one of his major headaches of the window by capturing a centre-forward. In defence, meanwhile, Cristhian Mosquera is set to arrive from Valencia.
Prior to the arrival of the Swedish hitman, Arsenal’s biggest signing this summer was Martin Zubimendi in midfield, and Falk says that the Spain international star could soon have a new colleague.
According to Falk, Arsenal could snap up Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha and indicates that this could be a deal to watch.
Palhinha wants to stay at Bayern, CFBayernInsider reports, but it does indicate that there is “wiggle room” if a leading club makes him an offer this summer.
He is well down the pecking order at the Allianz Arena and finished last season ranked only 20th when it came to minutes played across all competitions, failing to muster even 1000.
It represents a huge fall from grace for a player Bayern signed for €51 million last summer, having beaten Manchester United to his signature.
Spurs provide Arsenal competition
Palhinha would arrive at Arsenal as a backup option for Declan Rice and Zubimendi but would surely earn more minutes at the Emirates Stadium than he would get at Bayern.
The Gunners’ playing style and formation suit the 30-year-old, according to data analytics firm SciSports, suggesting that he could slot easily into Arteta’s plans.
Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring the player but are not seen as a strong fit by the experts.
Spurs, though, are seen as Arsenal’s main competition for Palhinha should he decide to leave Bayern this summer, with the Portugal international boasting an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €32.4m.
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