Arsenal beat off competition from Juventus to sign Riccardo Calafiori, and they can inflict more frustration on the Italian giants.
Juventus were interested in signing Calafiori, but he was convinced by Mikel Arteta’s project, and pushed for a move to England in order to play under the Spaniard.
Arsenal pulled off a coup in beating Juventus to a talented Italian International, and with Arteta aiming to add an attacker to his side, he could annoy them again by signing another one of their targets.
Juventus winger Federico Chiesa looks set to depart, and has even been linked with Arsenal, but Arteta could pull off a masterstroke by signing the player the Serie A heavyweights want to replace him with.
Arsenal should consider move for Juventus target Nicolas Gonzalez
Juventus are interested in a move for Fiorentina winger Nicolas Gonzalez, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that talks could happen soon.
“Juventus have made contact with Nico González agents today, he’s among options as new winger. Thiago Motta appreciates Nico and the player’s camp has opened door to potential move to Juventus. Talks to follow,” he posted on X.
Gonzalez was outstanding for Fiorentina last season, scoring 16 times in 44 games across all competitions, and was part of two Argentina squads which won the Copa America.
Fiorentina want around £25m for the winger, who is also coveted by Atalanta, but it is reported that neither club can afford that figure right now. Arsenal however, can, and Gonzalez could be a bargain option for Arteta’s desired attacker.
Arsenal could target Nicolas Gonzalez to solve attacker problem, he’s like a faster Leandro Trossard
Gonzalez is 26 and coming off the back of his best campaign to date, with 12 strikes in Serie A. He, like Leandro Trossard, is capable of playing across the entire front three, but Gonzalez is also left-footed, and predominantly plays on the right.
This could see him become a very strong backup for Bukayo Saka, whilst he is more than capable of filling in on the left or at centre-forward.
Stat site FBref names Arsenal star Trossard as the player most similar to Gonzalez, but the Argentinian brings what the Belgian lacks in speed, and could be the versatile attacking outlet to complete Arteta’s side.
If Gonzalez is open to a move away from Serie A, having also played in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart before, Arteta should consider him a wildcard option as he seeks out an alternative to Nico Williams.
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