‘Obsession’: Journalist says Arsenal were desperate to get winger, they made a ‘smart decision’

Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images

Speaking on the Que Golazo Podcast, Fabrizio Romano has been discussing Arsenal and their interest in Raphinha this summer.

The Brazilian winger was strongly linked to Arsenal earlier in the window, and according to Romano, the Gunners were more than keen to sign the former Leeds United man.

Indeed, according to Romano, Arsenal became obsessed with the idea of signing the 25-year-old, but due to the fact a bidding war was starting, they pulled out – a decision that Romano describes as ‘very smart’.

What’s been said?

Romano spoke about Raphinha and Arsenal’s hunt for a new winger.

“We will see I am sure that Arsenal will go with their own ideas as always. As they did with Vlahovic in January, they wanted Vlahovic but a deal was impossible because the player only wanted Juventus. I think Edu was perfect in that situation not wasting money on a striker he didn’t trust but waiting a bit to sign Gabriel Jesus this summer,” Romano said.

“I think with a winger it will be the same, they wanted Raphinha, we know that Raphinha was a top target for Arsenal, they submitted two proposals, Raphinha was an obsession for Arsenal because he was super appreciated, but they decided not to get involved in any bidding war, and I think that was a very smart decision because we saw what happened with Chelsea and Barcelona for this player.”

Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images

Not worth getting involved

Arsenal decided to not get involved in the bidding war for Raphinha, and we have to say that was probably the right decision.

Yes, he’s a fantastic player, but when a bidding war emerges, the price is only ever driven up, and, in all honesty, Arsenal were probably never going to win this race.

Chelsea and Barcelona could both offer the player Champions League football, while their links with his agent, Deco, would surely have put them ahead of Arsenal in the race.

The Gunners made the right choice in leaving this one once a bidding war began.

Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
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