Arsenal keep close eye on 'bargain' transfer as Gunners scouts 'monitor' ex-Real Madrid starlet

Arsenal had a weekend to forget after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The Gunners were forced to play with just ten men after William Saliba was handed a straight red in just the 30th minute of play.

Mikel Arteta’s side now sit third in the Premier League table and will now be without their star defender for this weekend’s clash against the league leaders, Liverpool.

With a mid-week Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk to contend with first, here is the latest news from the Emirates camp...

Arsenal’s close eye on ‘bargain’ transfer

Arsenal have had a long standing interest in the Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and it would appear that as the Serbian continues to stall signing a new contract with the Serie A giants, he is fast becoming a target for the Gunners to acquire next summer.

According to CaughtOffSide, the Gunners are keeping a close eye on Vlahovic’s situation and there is ‘the feeling’ that Mikel Arteta’s side could land a ‘bargain’ deal if the Serbian international hasn’t agreed a new deal with the Old Lady next summer as his current contract with Juve expires in 2026.

The report notes that if no new extension is agreed, the Italian club would be under pressure to sell Vlahovic for €60m (£50m) or less next summer and Arsenal are said to be keen on keeping the option open as Arteta’s hunt for a new striker continues.

Gunners scouts ‘monitor’ ex-Real Madrid talent

Arsenal are said to be monitoring the young Argentinian talent of Nico Paz, after reports said the N7 club had sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old in action.

The attacking midfielder was previously part of the Real Madrid youth academy before making his first-team and Champions League debut for the La Liga giants in November 2023. He went on to make eight appearances for the side in the 2023/24 season, scoring one goal, before moving to Como in the summer.

Posting on X, the Italian sports journalist Nicolo Schira said “AC Milan, Arsenal, Juventus and Napoli scouts have watched the last games of Como to monitor Nico Paz (born in 2004). The Argentinian talent, however, remains a future main target for Real Madrid which have a buyback clause.”

Reports from Il Giornale have indicated that the buyback clause has been set at €12m (£10m), although as TransferMarkt have valued the Serie A star at €15m (£12.5m), it is likely Arsenal will have to offer more than Real Madrid if they are to secure the starlet’s signature next summer.