- Arsenal eyeing Ander Barrenetxea
- Chelsea and Man Utd also keen
- Why the Gunners want the Spain international
Arsenal are reportedly joining the race to sign Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea. The Spanish winger is in high demand and is likely to be on the move this summer.
SunSport reports that the Gunners are now in the mix to sign Barrenetxea. Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United are also tracking the player, while Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping tabs on him.
With a major shakeup potentially brewing on our left flank, here is everything you need to know about the latest La Liga star on Mikel Arteta’s radar.
READ MORE: Arsenal transfer news today: Fernandes update, Trossard to Besiktas, Barcola contract
Arsenal target Ander Barrenetxea?
Barrenetxea is a versatile winger who has spent his entire playing career with Real Sociedad. A product of their famed youth academy, he is a dynamic, explosive forward capable of playing on either flank, though he thrives primarily when cutting inside from the left.
The exciting attacker is widely regarded as a “big-game” player with an immense ceiling. He was instrumental in Sociedad’s Copa del Rey triumph, scoring just 14 seconds into their final victory over Atletico Madrid.
His domestic form was so impressive that he was a lock to make Spain’s World Cup squad, only for a heartbreaking injury to rule him out of the tournament at the final hurdle.
If Arsenal do decide to make a concrete move, they will be aided by a good relationship with Sociedad. The North Londoners successfully raided San Sebastián by signing Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi.
Barrenetxea is under contract until 2030, which means the Spanish side are under no pressure to sell. They have made it clear they will not accept a single penny below his £65 million release clause.
Waiting in the wings
The left wing is in an area of Arteta’s squad that could do with bolstering. Both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are entering the final years of their contracts, with their current deals expiring next year.
Trossard is already attracting interest from Besiktas and several Premier League clubs, while Martinelli appears to have fallen somewhat out of favour under Arteta. If one or both move on, a high-quality replacement is an absolute necessity.
State of play
Right now, the price tag might be the ultimate stumbling block. Reports suggest that £65m is currently deemed too high for Arsenal’s budget, especially considering the other targets on the shortlist.
The Gunners are also closely monitoring Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers, as well as Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola. While Rogers is expected to command a massive fee, especially with his stock soaring as he prepares to start for England, Barrenetxea remains a concrete, top-tier alternative if the club decides to pivot.
