Arsenal have potentially avoided a transfer nightmare with Ian Wright voicing his disapproval of a Euro 2024 star linked with the Gunners.
The north London side have been linked with a plethora of players currently starring at this summer’s tournament in Germany, from Turkish fullback Ferdi Kadioglu to England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
With a deal reportedly close to sign Italy sensation Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal have seemingly been inspired to move for some players impressing at Euro 2024, with Mikel Arteta a fan of the Bologna defender.
Yet club legend Wright hasn’t been left too impressed with one name at the Euros who Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing.
Xavi Simons yet to impress Wright after links to Arsenal
Speaking on Wrighty’s House, the pundit highlighted how ‘disappointed’ he has been with Netherlands winger Xavi Simons, who has yet to really turn up this summer at the Euros despite the Dutch making it the semi-finals.
Linked with Arsenal, the 21-year-old enjoyed a sensational year out on loan with RB Leipzig, with Simons expected to be on the move again this summer, yet Wright has not been too impressed with what he’s seen from the Dutch youngster.
READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window
Wright said on Simons’ performances for the Netherlands at Euro 2024: “A player I was a little bit disappointed with from the Dutch side, Xavi Simons. I was expecting a little bit more in respects of him on the ball.
“I know they took Steven Bergwijn off in the first half, you think to yourself ‘I could see that’, but if they took Xavi Simons off, I would have thought, ‘yeah, I could see that as well’, because even in the second half, not enough. I didn’t see nowhere near enough of this guy, with what I have heard and seen from the Bundesliga, I am thinking I am looking for a little bit more dynamism off this guy. I am not seeing it.”
Simons hasn’t done much to attract suitors this summer
With PSG keen to sell Simons this summer, the winger hasn’t covered himself in any glory with his performances in Germany with the Netherlands, who like England have failed to impress despite their final-four status.
And with a legend as big as Wright now saying that he has been disappointed with what he’s seen from Simons this summer, there’s a real chance that the winger could fail to attract suitors once the Euros are over.
Indeed, Arsenal might have dodged a bullet in signing Simons this summer, with the Gunners seemingly moving on already to other transfer targets as Arteta looks to bring in a wide-attacker in the coming weeks.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
