Forget Williams: Arsenal should instead sign 25yo winger with 20-G/A, £50m move could be agreed - opinion

Arsenal should pursue a deal for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo this summer.

The Gunners are poised to sign a marquee striker during the transfer window, but they are also keen on landing a versatile winger.

Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has been manager Mikel Arteta’s priority target, but it is crystal clear that he wants to join Barcelona.

The Spaniard is ready to do ‘everything possible’ to sign for them. We believe Arsenal should move on from the 22-year-old ace.

Instead, the Gunners should look into a deal for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

Semenyo registered 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions for the Cherries this term, which is more than what Williams managed at Athletic (18 goal contributions).

The Ghanaian star averaged 3.4 shots per game compared to Williams’ 1.9. He had a higher dribble percentage than the Spaniard too (55 to 40 percent).

He also lost possession fewer times and won more ground and aerial duels (6.1 to 4.9).

Like Williams, Semenyo can operate on the right or left wing. He is ambipedal and capable of playing with either foot, scoring with a relatively good accuracy.

Bournemouth reportedly value the 25-year-old at around £50 million, which does not appear significant for a winger who is in the prime phase of his career.

Arsenal have been ready to pay £53m for Williams. They should afford Semenyo too, provided the Cherries are willing to negotiate staggered payments.

Convincing Semenyo should not be a problem. The versatile winger has repeatedly admitted that he is an Arsenal fan, and personal terms could be straightforward.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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