Arsenal were linked with a move for Michael Olise, but the superstar winger went to Bayern Munich.
Olise shone at Crystal Palace over the last few seasons after they picked him up for a bargain fee from then-Championship side Reading.
It was obvious that Olise was a huge talent as a teenager, and he recorded seven goals and 13 assists in 67 Championship appearances.
Arsenal could have signed him in the summer of 2021 for just £8m, and either integrated the young winger into the side, or even loaned him back or to a lower side to gain experience.
However, Arsenal overlooked him at the time, before then recently expressing interest in Olise, but finding that a deal was now too expensive, and that there were too many top clubs fighting for his signature.
There is a lot to be gained by signing top talents from the Championship, and the parallels between Watford sensation Yaser Asprilla and Olise are remarkable.
Arsenal have been linked with Watford star Yaser Asprilla
It has now been reported that Arsenal are interested in Watford attacker Yaser Asprilla, who has shone for Colombia in the Copa America, and is valued at around £15m.
The Athletic have also confirmed that the 20-year-old will be allowed to leave this summer given the interest in him.
“Watford are expecting interest in Yaser Asprilla as the Copa America draws to a close. The Colombia international — who is part of the squad who will play Uruguay in the semi-finals — is known to have admirers around the world,” they revealed.
“There is a growing acceptance at the Championship club that the attacking midfielder — Watford’s most saleable asset — is likely to be allowed to leave if the club’s valuation is met.
“The 20-year-old has scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in 86 appearances since arriving from Envigado. While the club would want to build around Asprilla, it’s acknowledged that a pathway to a bigger club may be difficult to turn down for the player and will prove beneficial for the reputation of the club for future prospects. “
Arsenal can avoid Michael Olise repeat mistake if they sign Yaser Asprilla
Arsenal do need another winger this summer, and Asprilla does fit the profile of the kind of player Arteta wants, as a right-winger who can also play in the centre or on the left.
When Olise moved to Crystal Palace, he had seven Championship goals to his name, just like Asprilla, and if Arsenal are to move for him this summer, they could even loan him out to a club where he would start regularly.
Asprilla is a rising star who is gaining recognition on the International stage, and his price tag is only likely to increase in the future. If he does fulfil his potential, he will likely become a top-class winger who would eventually be of interest to Arsenal.
If he is signed now, he can be loaned and keep gaining value, or even join Arteta’s squad as a rotational option on the wings, but if Arsenal let him go elsewhere, they may come to regret it further down the line as they did with Olise.
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