Another day, another Arsenal link to another starlet. But can the Gunners continue to put their faith into youngsters, or should they be looking at older, more experienced players?
Last summer seemed to see Arsene Wenger take a brand new tact in the transfer market. We’re so used to seeing the Arsenal boss plunge into the market and pluck up a never before heard of gem (or somebody like Marouane Chamakh) that it came of something as a surprise.
The more cynical amongst us may suggest that the sale of Robin Van Persie forced his hand. Others may feel that he’s finally got it. Arsenal haven’t won anything for 7 years because he’s got his transfer policy all wrong.
Whilst young players proved to be good assets back in the good old days, moneybags Manchester City and Chelsea have thrown a spanner in the works. Arsene can’t rely on youth any longer and seems to have realized that. Players like Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla will become stars in the Premier League – once they’ve had a chance to settle down.
As such, I can’t help but hope that Arsene sticks to the same tact over the next couple of transfer windows. That’s what it would take to get the Gunners back into the title race. That’s what I’d recommend – except in this one case:
The starlet Arsenal have been linked to is Barcelona’s 21-year-old midfielder, Cristian Tello. El Mundo Deportivo have reported that the Spanish forward is yet to agree new terms at the Nou Camp and claim that it’s down to the negotiation of a release clause that he wants inserted into his contract. The Star claims that Tello is allowed to talk to other clubs if they offer £8m. Better still though, if Arsenal wait until next summer (when his current terms run out) he’ll be available for free.
Young, talented and cheap – that sounds like a typical Arsene Wenger signing. In most cases, given Arsenal’s current decline, I’d rather see the Gunners go for somebody with more experience. But Tello is different. The young winger has pace, guile and trickery. He has a big future.
Wilfried Zaha has been sidelined as a player who will make huge waves. Tello has just as much potential, but will be available at a much cheaper price. I’d also argue that he has the ability to influence this Arsenal side immediately, whilst 20-year-old Zaha may have to bide his time.
Besides – signing a Barcelona youngster hasn’t gone so badly for Arsenal in the past has it?
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Buy him and sold him to Barca for £50m for 3 or 4 years. If he had ‘Barca DNA’ so sold him for £35m to them. We don’t need another Fabrégas get Zaha from Southamton he will be better investment for the future.