Arsenal deal for £30m-rated attacker dependent on one key factor – reports
By Abigail Withey
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has contacted Juventus about a potential deal with attacker Juan Cuadrado, according to a report.
Italian news outlet SNAI Sportsnews claim that the Gunners have made contact with the Serie A outfit about the availability of the 29-year-old ace.
The Italian media outlet has revealed that the Colombian’s future with the Italian club will depend on one key factor – which is their pursuit of Bayern Munich forward Douglas Costa.
The Sun has previously reported that Juve rate Cuadrado at £30million after the Gunners initially had a bid of £17.6million turned down.
The attack-minded winger made the permanent move to the Serie A title holders at the end of last season after spending two seasons on-loan with the club from Premier League winners Chelsea.
Before moving on-loan to Juventus the Colombia international made just 15 appearances for the Blues.
Cuadrado moved to Stamford Bridge in 2015 but struggled to adapt to the Premier League and failed establish himself in the Chelsea squad.
Despite being regular contributor for the club, it is said that the Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is prepared to sell the winger.
Since joining the Serie A outfit the Colombian has looked more comfortable and has made a total of 85 appearances, scored eight goals, and provided 18 assists.
Football Insider verdict
There is no doubt that Wenger needs to bolster his squad ahead of the club’s 2017/18 campaign, but whether Cuadrado is the right choice is another matter. With the possibility of key players like Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud leaving the Emirates this summer the boss must recruit fast. However, Cuadrado has previously shown during his time at Chelsea that he doesn’t perform well within the Premier League, so taking a risk during such a crucial time for the manager could prove unpopular. After extending his contract for another two years, Wenger has to pursue bigger and better signings to show his squad are serious contenders for the title in addition to snatching back their Champions League spot.
In other Arsenal transfer news, one of the club’s attackers has made a move to Benfica.
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