Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Bournemouth assist machine Ryan Fraser as Unai Emery looks bring in a new winger after giving up on Denis Suarez.
The Gunners coach is looking to bolster his squad with as many as five new signings in the summer, with a centre-back, midfielder, left-back and left winger all on his wish list.
Barcelona loanee Suarez, who played under Emery at Sevilla, was supposed to fill one of those positions but has not impressed and is struggling to adapt to English football.
According to The Times, Suarez’s failure to make an impact at the Emirates has led to Emery drawing up a list of alternative options, with Fraser one of the top names on the list.
The Arsenal manager wants more threat from out wide and Fraser certainly provides that, having laid on 10 assists in the Premier League this season – only Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (11) has more.
The Scotland international has also netted six times, while his versatility – capable of playing on either flank or as a No.10 – adds to his appeal.
Fraser is also out of contract in 2020 and is not close to signing a new contract, meaning Bournemouth could be forced to cash in this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing in a year’s time.
Arsenal are likely to have to be creative in the transfer market this summer, with Emery working on a very tight budget unless players can be offloaded and the wage bill reduced.
While the option to make Suarez’s loan move permanent exists, Emery has decided not to keep his countryman after making just four unspectacular substitute appearances, while he is also looking to bring in an aggressive, box-to-box midfielder to replace Aaron Ramsey.