Marc Bernal is regarded as one of Barcelona’s promising players, but the midfielder could have been playing for Arsenal this season had the Gunners pursued their interest in him. Such a move might have changed their recruitment plans and meant Bruno Guimaraes never arrived at the club.
Arsenal wanted to strengthen their midfield during the transfer window and considered several candidates as Mikel Arteta looked to improve the squad. The manager was keen to bring in a quality midfielder, prompting the club to assess different options before deciding which player would best suit their needs.
Arsenal considered a move for Bernal
According to Team Talk, Arsenal considered making an offer for Bernal before deciding to approach Guimaraes in the last transfer window. The report says the Gunners had tracked the Barcelona midfielder for several months and were impressed by what they had seen.
Despite that interest, Arsenal eventually pulled out of the potential move and focused instead on a player with experience in the Premier League. Their decision meant Bernal remained at Barcelona, while Guimaraes emerged as the option they chose to strengthen their midfield.
Arsenal’s recruitment team had to weigh the potential of a young talent against the benefits of signing a player already familiar with English football. Although Bernal had attracted their attention, the club ultimately opted for a different profile.
(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Guimaraes has justified Arsenal’s decision
The move for Guimaraes appears to have worked well so far, with the midfielder becoming one of Arsenal’s important players and delivering strong performances in many of the matches he has played for the club.
Bernal also has considerable potential, but adapting to the demands of English football could have taken time. For a team seeking immediate improvements, that adjustment period might have affected Arsenal’s ability to get the results they wanted.
The alternative transfer route could therefore have produced a very different outcome for the Gunners. However, their decision to prioritise a Premier League proven midfielder has brought encouraging results, while Bernal remains a player they had considered during their search for reinforcements.
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