Arsenal’s proposed move for Barcelona and Netherlands forward Memphis Depay is a “very anti-Arteta signing”.
That is according to Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about Arsenal’s potential transfer business ahead of the remaining weeks of the transfer window.
Depay has been linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer, with Mikel Arteta’s side bringing in four new additions to north London already this transfer window.
Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City and Fábio Vieira of FC Porto have been the highest-profile arrivals, whilst young Brazilian winger Marquinhos and American goalkeeper Matt Turner have arrived from São Paolo and New England Revolution respectively.
This suggests that Arteta tends to prefer signings of the age of 25 years old or younger (with backup goalkeeper Turner being the exception).
But Jones believes that the signing of 28-year-old Depay to Arsenal is unlikely this summer for a multitude of reasons other than his age.
He said: “On the surface level, it looks a very anti-Arteta signing to bring someone of Depay’s temperament and reputation, so I can’t see it.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…
We believe that there is no reason for Arteta to want to bring Depay to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, especially with the aforementioned arrival of Jesus from Manchester City.
Whilst the 80-cap Netherlands international may have had a better goals-per-90-minutes ratio (0.58) to the Brazilian (0.38) last season according to FBRef, it must be taken into account that Jesus was utilised both out wide and in behind the striker at various points by Pep Guardiola, whilst Depay was mainly used as the central striker at Barcelona.
Jesus is also three years younger than Depay and has already proven himself in the Premier League, suggesting that the current Arsenal man has a much higher ceiling at this level compared to the Barcelona forward.
We believe that Arsenal should stick with what they’ve got and put faith in Jesus producing the goods at the Emirates this season, rather than pay a fee for Depay, who has probably already reached his peak.