Arsenal are now "shopping in the top bracket" after targeting Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, says transfer insider Dean Jones.
A move to the Emirates this month looks unlikely, but Jones thinks the links to the French youngster alone show how far the Gunners have come this season.
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Arsenal transfer news - Eduardo Camavinga
The Evening Standard recently claimed that Arsenal were hoping to bring Camavinga in on loan.
However, the north London club's chances of doing so have been shot down by the player's agent, Joshua Barnett.
"There’s no truth. Of course every club in the world would want him, but he’s very happy in Real Madrid and Real Madrid are very happy with Camavinga," Barnett told transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 20-year-old joined Real Madrid from Rennes in a deal worth around £34m in 2021, as reported by Sky Sports.
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What has Dean Jones said about Eduardo Camavinga and Arsenal?
Jones thinks Arsenal targeting Camavinga shows that they can now aim for the more high-profile names in the game.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist said: "Look, they're clearly shopping in the top bracket now. It was a year or so ago we were talking about the fact that Arsenal didn't know where they should be trying to get players from because they didn't know where they fitted in in the European table.
"They didn't have European football to offer at one point. They didn't have the players to help lure other players in and now they're starting to get that, and what we're seeing is that it's reflected in the type of targets that they're being linked to."
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: Confirmed Deals, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
Would Eduardo Camavinga have been a good signing for Arsenal?
Without a doubt. Camavinga is a player with a lot of talent but is also someone who has experience at a very high level despite being so young.
It was only last month when the France international was playing in a World Cup final. He has also made almost 70 appearances for Real Madrid and featured 19 times in the Champions League, as per Transfermarkt.
What also probably appealed to Arteta is Camavinga's ability to thwart attacks. Over the last year, the former Rennes man has ranked in the 95th percentile for tackles and the 92nd for blocks among midfielders (via FBref), which is very impressive.
All in all, then, Camavinga could have been a brilliant addition to Arsenal's squad this month.
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