For what must surely be a historic fiftieth transfer window in a row, Ever Banega is being linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal said to be this month’s suitors.
However, rather than mere name-dropping in the gossip columns, reports in Spain suggest that the Gunners have actually made a formal contract offer to Banega, who current plays for Sevilla.
Unai Emery is known to be a fan of the combative midfielder having worked with him at Valencia and Sevilla in the past but recently saw his plan to sign the Argentinian international scotched by the Arsenal board as the club felt the money could be invested more wisely elsewhere – somewhere like Barcelona cast-off Denis Suarez.
Regardless, Estadio Deportivo are now reporting that the decision has been reversed and Emery has offered a three-year deal (with the option of a fourth) to Banega worth around £7million per annum in wages.
The player is considering the proposal which took him by surprise as it meets his ‘impossible’ demands.
So basically, it sounds like Banega tried to price himself out of a move and Arsenal went and called his bluff with a bonkers offer.
Subtle shades of Wenger’s infamous “three/four/five years too late” transfer approach there: Shovelling unerring amounts of money at players that, while still useful, are a fair sight past their peak – Mikel Arteta *cough cough*.
A 25-year-old Banega on an expensive four-year contract would be an outstanding signing. At 30, not so much.
Nice to see that Emery is upholding these long-standing Arsenal traditions as he ploughs his own furrow.