Arsenal’s strategy to secure the signing of Ajax’s star player, Mohammed Kudus, is under threat as Chelsea also show interest in the midfielder.

However, the North London club are reportedly planning to sell six players to fund the transfer, and they’ve set sights on Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina as an alternative.

• Arsenal are reportedly listing six players for sale to fund the transfer of Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus.
• Chelsea’s interest in Kudus might derail Arsenal’s plans.
• Should a move for Kudus not materialise, Arsenal have identified Dinamo Zagreb’s Martin Baturina as an alternative.

 

Arsenal find themselves itself in an another transfer saga, this time involving Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, Chelsea, and a lesser-known name from Dinamo Zagreb, Martin Baturina.

The club’s strategy of selling six players to fund the transfer of Ajax’s talented midfielder Mohammed Kudus has been making headlines recently.

However, Chelsea, unable to identify their own players, are also reportedly interested in acquiring Kudus’s services, complicating Arsenal’s ambitions. Talks have reportedly already begun.

Mohammed Kudus, a 23-year-old midfielder who currently plies his trade at Dutch champions Ajax, has been a sensation on the European football scene.

Kudus has been instrumental in Ajax’s dominance of the Dutch Eredivisie and their exploits in the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal’s keen interest in this young prodigy, while understandable, doesn’t come without substantial competition, chiefly from Chelsea.

To finance Kudus’s transfer, Arsenal are reportedly ready to part ways with six of their own – Cédric Soares, Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pépé, and Albert Sambi Lokonga. Additionally, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding might also be on their way out of the London club.

Each of these players has had varied levels of impact on Arsenal’s team. Some, like Pépé, arrived amidst high expectations but failed to consistently deliver, while others, like Tierney, despite showing immense talent, has struggled with injuries.

However, offloading these players is not just about raising funds. It’s also about clearing the decks, making room in the squad for new, potentially more effective talents.

A restructured and re-energised team could be instrumental in lifting Arsenal title wannabes to title holders.

Despite this carefully planned strategy, Arsenal’s quest for Kudus faces a significant obstacle – Chelsea’s interest.

With the Blues also seeking Kudus’s services, the transfer saga has grown increasingly complex, potentially inflating Kudus’s market value and disrupting Arsenal’s strategy.

Yet, Arsenal are not without a Plan B.

Should the pursuit of Kudus fail, the Gunners have their sights set on a rising star from Croatia, Martin Baturina.

The 20-year-old midfielder from Dinamo Zagreb may be less known than Kudus, but he’s no less talented. Arsenal are reportedly willing to offer between €12m and €17m for Baturina – a significantly lower sum than what they are ready to shell out for Kudus.

Baturina’s performances for Dinamo Zagreb, particularly in the UEFA Champions League, have been noteworthy. His technical skills, composure, and flair have drawn interest from top clubs across Europe, and Arsenal seem prepared to tap into his potential if they lose Kudus to Chelsea.

As the Gunners steer their way through this high-stakes transfer window, manager Mikel Arteta has openly acknowledged the need for player movements and transfers.

“Obviously there will be movements still,” he said in a recent press conference. “There will be ins and outs. It’s still very early, the market seems to be a little bit quieter in the last week or so. If we can improve the team we will try to do so, but we don’t get any weaker, so we have to be really cautious of that as well.”

Arteta’s words reflect a careful balance between ambition and caution.

As Arsenal’s fans await the outcome of this complex transfer saga, it’s evident that the club’s leadership is playing a high-stakes game, a gamble that could shape the team’s future. Will it be Kudus, Baturina, or another surprise twist in the tale?

Only time will tell.

But for now, the focus remains on securing new talents without compromising the team’s existing strength – a challenging task for Arteta and his team, but one that could define Arsenal’s trajectory in the seasons to come.