Edu closing on bargain replacement for Gabriel Jesus with Barcelona star subject of lowball Arsenal offer

Arsenal technical director Edu is reportedly putting the finishing touches to an offer to Barcelona that would see one of their players arriving at Emirates Stadium in a cut-price January transfer.

The Gunners sit top of the Premier League with a hugely-impressive 12 wins from 14 games. Their title aspirations though have taken a huge knock following news Gabriel Jesus faces three months on the sidelines. That came after he sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup loss to Cameroon.

And while TEAMtalk revealed this week that Arsenal hope he may return earlier than expected, the Gunners are pressing ahead with plans to bolster their options in January.

As a result, coach Mikel Arteta will have around £50m at his disposal. And he is aiming to strengthen in midfield and add to his attack.

To that end, a number of high-profile forwards are reportedly under consideration. Impressive Ukrainian star Mykhaylo Mudryk is among those they are reportedly keen on. However, his eye-watering £87m asking price looks hugely problematic.

As an alternative, Saturday’s Transfer Gossip suggests the Gunners are closing on a dazzling double deal to strengthen those options up front.

However, there is a different take in Spain and reports there now claim Arteta’s major target is more modest.

And with Memphis Depay ready to enter the final six months of his contract, Sport claims Edu is sensing a bargain deal is close.

The Netherlands forward moved to Nou Camp as a free agent in summer 2021, after leaving Lyon.

During his time in Spain, he has scored 14 times in 41 appearances.

However, the signing of Raphinha and the renewal of Ousmane Dembele has left Memphis kicking his heels on the substitutes bench.

Edu believes he can sign Memphis Depay for bargain deal

As a result, the Blaugrana were willing to sanction his sale over the summer. But despite plenty of interest, nothing was agreed and Memphis continued at the club.

Just three appearances later and it seems Arsenal are sensing the chance to land the star on a bargain deal.

Surprisingly, the report claims issues over the registration of new players means Xavi still want Memphis to stay.

However, the Barcelona board still want to move the forward on. And they claim Edu is readying a ‘low offer’ that they hope will be accepted.

And while details of that offer are not disclosed, it’s been claimed previously that Barcelona will let him leave for as little as £7m.

That’s a claim backed up by Italian outlet TuttoJuve, who reckon the Gunners are well placed to sign the star.

They believe Memphis’ profile is seen by Arsenal as most similar to Jesus. And they also believe the player has ‘the mobility’ to score goals in Arsenal’s system.

Edu also reportedly believes that, despite Xavi’s wishes to keep the star, a bargain deal to bring him to Emirates can be sealed relatively easily.

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