For the first time in 19 years, Arsenal will not be playing in the Champions League next season, and while, as a one off, that isn’t the end of the world, there needs to be an assurance it won’t become a habit.
With the future of Arsène Wenger still up in the air, the transfer window isn’t exactly a priority for the club, especially with an FA Cup to prepare for before then.
One of the targets, it seems, is Sampdoria’s Patrik Schick, who, despite being young, is attracting a lot of interest from big clubs, including the Gunners, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Arsenal are mentioned alongside Inter Milan, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund as one of the teams after him, yet Juventus appear to be in the driving seat, thanks to a little bit of help from Pavel Nedved.
The Czech Republic legend is said to be using his influence to try and convince the youngster to choose the Old Lady as his next club, with a release clause of €25m making any deal a bit simpler, allowing them to bypass club negotiations altogether.
Nedved has confirmed Juventus’ interest in the Czech international, and movement is expected after the Champions League final on the 3rd of June.
If Arsenal want to get ahead of them, they need to act swiftly, and probably guarantee him first-team football as well as more money than Juventus.
It’s doable, but it’s certainly not an easy task.
