Sunday 22 July 2018

Arsenal ‘in talks’ with Barcelona over Andre Gomes

Unknown July 22, 2018 FOOTBALL, SOCCER, SPORTS

RAC1 is reporting that Arsenal are in talks with Barcelona over the transfer of Andre Gomes.

However, Barcelona’s asking price of £26.8m may prove a stumbling block for the Gunners who would prefer to loan Gomes this season with an option to buy next summer.

Struggling at Barca

Gomes arrived at Camp Nou in 2016 from fellow La Liga side Valencia for a fee of around £33.3 million.

However, after spending two seasons at Barcelona, Gomes has failed to impress. The centre midfielder has made 78 appearances for the Catalan side but he has only scored three and assisted four in that time.

While Gomes’s lack of goals may be excused due to him being a centre mid, the fact he has managed just four assists for Barcelona is simply not good enough.

Especially when Gomes has the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in front of him.

On the other hand, Gomes has shown from his time at Valencia what a top midfielder he can be and perhaps all is needed is a change of club.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 28: Unai Emery, Head Coach of Sevilla FC reacts during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on February 28, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s midfield

Arsenal’s central midfield has had its problems for some years now. England and Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere was often sidelined through injury meaning Arsenal were often a man short in their midfield anyway and now Wilshere has officially left Arsenal they are in need of a replacement.

Furthermore, Granit Xhaka, who signed for Arsenal for around £35 million, has proven to be somewhat of a flop.

Xhaka has looked awful in countless games this season for the Gunners and if they do wish to fight for a Champions League place this summer, they need someone a lot more consistent than Xhaka in the centre of the park.

Gomes could very well be the man to add some much-needed creativity to Arsenal’s midfield and would make a great partner for the more defensive mined Lucas Torreira.