Arsenal willing to swap two players for in-demand star

The Gunners are ready to send two of their players to Crystal Palace in exchange for the exciting Aaron Wan-Bissaka, as per a report

Wan-Bissaka has been nothing short of phenomenal for Crystal Palace since he broke into the starting eleven under Roy Hodgson last season. His displays have only gotten better, which has led increased speculation about his future in recent months, with many of the opinions that he would not be out of place at a top-six club.

The Sun has now reported that Arsenal has become the first club to show their willingness to make a move for the Eagles star. The London club wants a reported £40m for the 21-year-old starlet, and the agency has added that the Gunners don’t mind chucking in a couple of players to sweeten the deal.

Reiss Nelson, on loan at Hoffenheim in Germany currently, is one of them, with the other player to be sacrificed being Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has played 10 times in the Premier League this season. It was added that Arsenal is incredibly keen on Wan-Bissaka, and see him as a long-term prospect who could fit right in at the Emirates.

They do, however, have to ensure that they do not burn their already small pockets, as money is a concern for the English giants, as revealed by manager Unai Emery in January, who said that the club didn’t have the cash to spend on permanent signings. The only signing the Spanish gaffer made in the winter window was Denis Suarez, who arrived on loan from Barcelona on deadline day.

Arsenal has been in the hunt for a right-back who can add not only a great deal of pace to their side but also reliable defending to the team’s cause. Their Premier League rivals to have been eyeing Wan-Bissaka closely, but none of them are willing to go the extra mile that Arsenal is.

The Gunners have their work cut out as well currently, as they are still in contention for a top-four spot this season, and if that aim is achieved, it could be a huge bargaining chip in attracting Wan-Bissaka to north London, if they do bid for him. They’re also still alive in the Europa League, having narrowly come through their last 16 ties with Rennes, winning 4-3 on aggregate.

They face a tricky tie in the quarterfinals, though, as they face Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli. This provides them with two different routes of qualification for next season’s Champions League, so it is imperative that Emery guides them to the promised one way or the another.

The Gunners also will not be in action until two weeks later, as their game this weekend was rescheduled due to opponents Wolves’ FA Cup exploits over Manchester United.

Authors Take

There is a growing feeling among pundits and experts that Wan-Bissaka, who is yet to decide if he wants to represent DR Congo or England on the international stage, has what it takes to make it big at an elite club, and that now is the right time for the youngster to make that step up. However, what with Arsenal’s financial constraints, it looks unlikely that they will be able to sign the exciting right-back over other clubs, who are more than capable of meeting his valuation, even if they have decided to chuck in a couple of youngsters as a sweetener. So, it remains to be seen what lies ahead for the Palace star.