Arsenal are still on the search for a wide player during this transfer window, and the club could be looking at a potential deal for Villarreal and Spain winger Yeremi Pino, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.
The 19-year-old is thought to be available for around £38m this summer.
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What’s the latest on Pino?
According to the Express, Mikel Arteta’s side are interested in making a move for Pino this summer, with the winger having a £67.5m release clause.
GOAL suggest that the La Liga side would be willing to accept a lower bid of around £38m to part ways with the four-time Spain international, although the Gunners are yet to submit a formal bid to Villarreal for his services.
However, Fabrizio Romano has previously revealed to GIVEMESPORT that the winger may cost more than £38m this summer.
I think the rumours of £35m-£40m are not so correct,” Romano told GIVEMESPORT.
“I think Villarreal will want way more than this to sell Yeremi Pino this summer.”
And Crook believes that there is something in the Pino to Arsenal links, with the club having “given up” on summer 2019 signing Nicolas Pépé.
What has Crook said about Pino?
He told GIVEMESPORT: “Yeah, I think there is something in the Pino to Arsenal links.
“I think obviously Arteta has said publicly that they're not done yet.
“He's a wide player, which I think they're looking for because obviously, they’ve given up on Nicolas Pépé.
“It's going to be interesting to see what happens with him [Pépé], if anyone comes in for him before the end of the window.”
Will Pino sign for Arsenal?
With the club prepared to potentially let go of Pépé this summer, it would make sense for Arsenal to recruit another wide player, and Pino could be just the prospect they’re looking for.
The £36m-rated player made 40 appearances for Villarreal last season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that he is a steady provider of goals.
Pino is well renowned for getting up and down the wing and helping out with the team’s defensive duties, and this is shown by the fact that the wide man ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders/wingers across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for blocks per 90 minutes (2.62) over the last 365 days, according to FBref.
With talk of the Spain international’s departure from the La Liga club this season, there’s a good chance that Arteta and Edu may think that this is the time to pounce on the young winger and secure his signature at the Emirates Stadium, before the transfer window is out.