Arsenal Staff In Portugal To Confirm Joelson Fernandes Transfer

Arsenal representatives are currently in Lisbon to finalize a deal for Sporting forward, Joelson Fernandes.

Portuguese news outlet, A Bola claims that the Gunners are ready to pay his €45 million release clause. Barcelona and Juventus are reportedly also interested in him.

This is a weird bit of news to wrap your head around. Arsenal are certainly looking to invest in the transfer market but don’t they need immediate improvements. Fernandes is no doubt, a top young talent but he can be considered more of a signing for the future. At 17, you don’t expect him to break out in the Premier League and start replication Aubemeyang-like numbers.

Otherwise, Arsenal are pretty strained for cash as well. Finishing eighth in the league and without Champions League football for the fourth season in a row has taken a serious hit to their bank coffers. Add to that the worldwide health crisis and the Gunners are looking at pretty mediocre returns in terms of transfers this summer.

Even then, Mikel Arteta will surely be aiming to bring in more quality to his midfield and defence rather than add more striking power. Arsenal will have to address Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract situation but the priority lies in improving other positions.