Arsenal are set to miss out on Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers after Chelsea agreed a £117 million deal to sign the England international.
Arsenal had identified Rogers as their first-choice target for the left-wing role, with manager Mikel Arteta a keen admirer of the versatile Villa star.
However, Arsenal were unwilling to meet Villa’s asking price, allowing Chelsea to beat them to his signature.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is now expected to identify alternative targets after missing out on the 23-year-old.
Arsenal should sign Marcus Rashford as an alternative to Rogers
Manchester United are still looking to sell Marcus Rashford despite the expiration of his £40m exit clause.
Arsenal have already been linked with the England international. We believe the Gunners should now step up their pursuit of Rashford as an alternative to Rogers.
He offers a significant goalscoring threat with his ability to run in behind defences and his powerful ball-striking. He can also create chances.
The United academy graduate registered 17 goal involvements in La Liga during his loan spell at Barcelona last season, a tally higher than any Arsenal player recorded in the Premier League.
Rashford’s nine-goal involvements in the UEFA Champions League were also more than any Arsenal player recorded in the competition.
Rashford also offers great pace. He clocked 36 km/h in La Liga, matching Riccardo Calafiori and Viktor Gyokeres, who were jointly the fastest Arsenal players in the league last season.
The 28-year-old can play anywhere across the frontline and is proven in the Premier League, further adding to his appeal.
Arsenal will have to negotiate a transfer fee for Rashford following the expiration of his release clause.
The north London side should make a move for the English forward if United’s asking price is reasonable and his wage demands are not excessive.
Stats from Sofascore