Step aside Rodrygo, Arsenal should complete shock transfer for exiled £51,000,000 Premier League star

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Arsenal will be in the market for a winger when the summer transfer window opens on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta keen to add offensive firepower to his squad.

The Gunners are looking to find an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, as both players have produced inconsistent performances this season.

Nico Williams has been identified as Arteta’s primary target, although the Athletic Club man is understood to be reluctant to leave Spain.

Meanwhile, Rodrygo has emerged as a potential option for Arsenal over the last week, with the Real Madrid wide forward reportedly eager to depart the Bernabeu.

The likes of Ademola Lookman, Antoine Semenyo and Jamie Gittens have also been linked with a switch to N5, as Andrea Berta looks to keep his options open.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta just confirmed Arsenal’s first four transfer decisions in the summer window

Arsenal should sign Alejandro Garnacho this summer

While Rodrygo is arguably the most appealing option on the market, the Brazilian may be difficult to prise away from Real Madrid.

Every other name on Berta’s shortlist has question marks around them, whether that be a lack of experience at the top level or the potential price tag placed on them.

Thus, the Italian sporting director should look further afield for a more rogue candidate on the market.

TBR Football report that Arsenal have made contact with Alejandro Garnacho, and the Argentine is someone the Gunners should be exploring.

Exiled by Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils are seemingly willing to sell Garnacho at a cut price this summer to ease financial concerns at the north-west club.

While his reputation has been damaged over the last 12 to 18 months, playing in a dysfunctional and chaotic United side, the dynamic wide man has all the ingredients to develop into an exceptional player and already produces impressive output.

Just 20, Garnacho is quick, an exceptional ball carrier and likes to cause havoc by getting shots off consistently.

One of the few effective pressers at Old Trafford, the youngster would fit perfectly into Arteta’s system, and has the ability to improve his game and become something special in a cohesive system under the Spaniard’s guidance.

At the reported £51 million price tag, Garnacho would be a less-risky option than someone like Williams or Gittens, given he has substantial Premier League experience already.

Alejandro Garnacho’s statistics 2024/25

While still doing his part defensively, Martinelli struggled from an offensive standpoint this season.

The Brazilian has become shot-shy, taking just 2.16 shots per 90 minutes for the Gunners.

Arsenal desperately need an injection of shots in their forward line, and Garnacho would bring this in abundance, taking almost three-and-a-half per game.

The Argentina international is dead-set on carrying the ball forward and shooting as frequently as possible, a skill that would ignite what is occasionally a sterile Arsenal attack.

While he certainly needs refining in other aspects of his game, like improving his passing and learning how to effectively take players on, the core attributes that make a winger exciting are there.

If they can negotiate well below the £51 million mark, it has to be a deal that Berta and Arteta are considering.