Arsenal target Ryan Fraser is likely to cost around £40 million this summer, so should the club pursue their interest in signing the Bournemouth star?
The Evening Standard reports that potential suitors will need to fork out a gigantic sum of money if they are to lure the Scotland international away from the Vitality Stadium, and the Gunners have long been linked with the player.
Fraser had a fantastic season for Bournemouth, and if they are to let him leave, a significant fee must be coughed up. Arsenal are evidently interested, but would it be wise to splash the cash on the winger?
One area that Unai Emery simply must see bolstered this summer is his selection of wingers. Alex Iwobi enjoyed a solid campaign, but he is the only natural wide player at the Spaniard’s disposal.
Arsenal have generally impressed in the final third of the pitch under their manager, with their deficiencies coming at the back, but signing another attacking player most certainly would not go amiss.
Fraser possesses the pace, direct style and creativity needed to thrive in a system such as Emery’s. He scored seven goals for Bournemouth last season and was by far their most impressive player, chipping in with 14 assists – a total bettered only by Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
The winger’s quality is undoubted, but what is uncertain is whether or not he is worth £40 million. To his club, he most definitely is given his importance to Eddie Howe’s plans. However, despite the inflated transfer fees that clubs must nowadays contend with, it would appear to be a steep price.
Signing Fraser would seemingly take a huge chunk, if not all, of Arsenal’s transfer budget, and quite simply, it could be argued that there are better players out there for £40 million.
Players in the ilk of Goncalo Guedes and Quincy Promes would arguably provide the Gunners with the same level of inventiveness, if not of a higher level, and perhaps for a similar price.
Fraser would by no means be a poor signing, but the valuation is extortionate, and Arsenal have more pressing issues in the defensive third of the pitch…
