Arsenal are a club in transition this summer and it is important that they spend wisely on transfers this year. They are yet to find their new manager, but already making plans for the future and this has seen them linked with a number of superstars in recent days.
One such player, Arsenal are struggling to land is Turkish star Cengiz Under.
Roma Reject Arsenal’s Bid For Under
A transfer target for AS Monaco as well, the 20-year old was in decent form for AS Roma but has been extensively linked with an exit. It is understood that the French giants had a £30.7m bid turned down for him recently.
However, reports from Italy today claim that Arsenal also made an offer, of around £26m, which was immediately rejected by the Italian giants. The story claims that Roma are ready to offer him a contract extension with improved wages and will not listen to any offer of less than £43m this summer. So should Arsenal meet his valuation?
Who Is Under?
Having started his senior career with Altinordu, Under’s most productive season came with İstanbul Başakşehir last year, where he picked up seven goals and seven assists to his name before he jumped to Roma last summer.
He registered 8 goals and two assists in all competitions for Roma in his first season at the club and was crucial to their run to the semi-finals of the Champions League and to Roma establishing a place in the top-4 in Serie A.
A versatile winger, who mostly plays on the right wing, the 20-year old can also play through the middle and has been an impact player for Roma, coming from the bench. Quick, smart and usually productive with his decision making, Under is capable of testing the keeper from long range but is at his best providing crosses for his teammates from the flank.
He is a decent dribbler and can get past his man with ease but is more effective in build-up play or in counter-attacking situations, where his threat is at its highest. He needs to improve on the defensive side of his game but is a decent acquisition for even the best clubs in Europe.
Should Arsenal Go All In?
With 8 appearances for the national side already, Under is an established player and can make an impact on the first team at Emirates next season. He may not be the star name Arsenal fans will want but at just 20, he is only going to get better and makes a lot of sense for the club.
With Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Alex Iwobi and Mesut Ozil, all effective in a no.10 role, Arsenal are in need of genuine wingers who can add width to the attack and under fits the bill well. The likes of Wilfried Zaha and Ousmane Dembele are both linked with a move to Arsenal but both players, though are better established than Under, will be more expensive leaving the club with very little to spend on other areas of the squad.
£40m+ is steep for a 20-year old but his potential demands such a price. So do you think Arsenal should meet his valuation?