Arsenal have lodged a bid for Norwich City star Emi Buendia.
The Gunners are looking for a creative spark in midfield after seeing Martin Odegaard's loan from Real Madrid end.
The bid is believed to be in the region of £30million plus add-ons. But it's not just Arsenal who are in for the Argentine. Aston Villa are said to have matched the bid for Buendia.
It now seems as though Buendia will have the choice of which club he wishes to join, unless a bidding war emerges and one club drops out.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has first-hand experience of just what Buendia can do in the top flight.
Despite being part of the Norwich squad which suffered an immediate relegation, the 24-year-old played a starring role in a famous, albeit rare, win that campaign.
And Arteta was on the receiving end.
It was in September 2019, in the embryonic days of a campaign that would last for almost a full 12 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The match in question saw Norwich host Manchester City at a buoyant Carrow Road. Arteta was assistant to Pep Guardiola at the time.
But he will no doubt have noted Buendia's big influence as Norwich sealed an impressive 3-2 win over the reigning champions. Buendia chipped in with two assists and was one of a number of players who caught the eye that day.
His individual stats for that match say it all.
Among the clips you could pick out was a cheeky backheel in his own area with the hosts leading 3-1 - a sure sign of his confidence at the time.
That season ended with Arteta back at one of his former clubs as manager, whilst Buendia and his colleagues were licking their wounds after relegation.
But the performance will no doubt have stuck in Arteta's mind as he looks to swoop for Buendia and bring some of that much-needed creativity to his wilting Arsenal side.
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