Arsenal are being heavily linked with a move for Christopher Nkunku this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain setting the Gunners a price tag of £17.2million for the versatile midfielder, but is he worth the risk for Unai Emery’s side?
Nkunku is clearly highly thought of by his former boss Emery, who reportedly informed his superiors at Arsenal of his desire to sign the Frenchman earlier this week, and the Arsenal boss also came close to a loan move for the midfielder in January.
According to the Evening Standard, the 21-year-old is available to Emery to sign on a permanent deal for a relatively generous fee of £17.2million this summer, but would he be worth the risk?
The short answer, in my opinion, is yes. At 21, Nkunku is only going to get better, and Arsenal have a proven track record of helping to develop young players into top-level footballers.
And, at £17.2million, the midfielder is a bargain in today’s transfer market, especially for a young player from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Furthermore, even if Nkunku fails to develop into the player Emery hopes he can be, a fee in the region of £17million for a versatile midfielder can certainly be recouped.
Arsenal will also certainly need to strengthen their midfield options this summer with Aaron Ramsey departing for Juventus and the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan enduring a poor campaign, and Nkunku is capable of playing in central midfield as well as on the wing.
Though the 21-year-old has a relative lack of experience, he has still featured 21 times for Ligue 1 champions PSG this season, and Emery’s faith in Matteo Guendouzi, who signed from FC Lorient having played just 30 times for the French outfit, has certainly paid off.
Signing Nkunku, therefore, appears to be a no brainer at the price being discussed.
