The transfer window may have slammed shut some weeks ago, but it hasn’t stopped Arsenal from being linked with players and Club Brugge’s Noa Lang is the latest rumour doing the rounds.
According to Fichajes, Arsenal are interested in signing the highly-rated winger. A reported £20 million price tag has been set on the player’s head, but Arsenal will face issues should they try to move for the player.
Now out of European football, Arsenal experienced a summer where several of their targets had greater ambitions. The Athletic reported that Arsenal coveted Sevilla defender Jules Kounde. However, the French international was already playing in the European elite competition and had no intention of stepping out of it.
Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli was another target during the summer who the club struggled to acquire and eventually saw the Italian move to Juventus on a two-year loan deal with a purchase clause.
The club could yet face the same problem with Lang. The Arsenal Way spoke with sports journalist and Club Brugge watcher from Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium Bart Lagae. Lagae explained that the Dutch youth international has big ambitions.
“I think Arsenal has a chance to sign him if they qualify for the Champions League next season because that’s where his ambition is,” said Lagae.
That may seem an unlikely finish for the Gunners this season but Lagae has suggested his ability eclipses that of a current wide starter for Arsenal. Further incentive for Arteta to help the team finish in the top 4 and snap up the 22-year-old.
“I think for Arsenal he [Lang] can on both wings. For instance, on the right, in Nicolas Pepe’s position,” explained Lagae.
“I would say he is even more focused on the goal and assisting than Pepe. He is probably a better player.
“He can have a good combination with Saka. Saka the player making runs and Lang the passer. Lang doesn’t go deep without the ball; he always asks for the ball. So, I think having him in combination with Saka and a striker, Aubameyang etc, would work very well.”
Mikel Arteta has tried to shoehorn both Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka into the team despite them both being more naturally right-wingers.
With Lang able to play on both wings well, Saka could be moved back to the right and the Dutchman slotted onto the left wing.
So far this season he has played both centrally and on the left. Parallels with Gabriel Martinelli begin to form, and questions may arise about what this would mean for his future. However, were Pepe to be moved on in place of Lang, it wouldn’t block the Brazilian’s path anymore.
Lang has 4 goals and 4 assists this season and stood out in the recent 1-1 draw with PSG in the Champions League group stage clash.
As Belgian expert Bart Lagae stated, however, a possible signing may require a top 4 finish and a January move isn’t likely.
“The idea was to play in the Champions League and to show his qualities and to make a big step. That still is the idea but at the same time, Lang is fitting in so well with Brugge that they accepted another year. He signed a new deal only last week.
“He will probably definitely stay until the end of the season.”
Whether Arsenal can match his ambition looks ambiguous, to say the least at present.
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