Over the past week it has emerged that Arsenal have renewed their interest in Real Madrid’s highly rated Argentine winger, Angel Di Maria, who has been linked to the North London club in the past. The Gunners believed Di Maria would be available for around £25m, however the news emerged that Los Blancos had slapped a £45m price-tag on his head, almost double what Arsenal expected to pay.
The Gunners face competition from Manchester City, Paris Saint Germain and Monaco for the winger, meaning that Arsenal will have to move quickly if they are to secure the services of the current Real Madrid player, which would signal the second high-profile arrival from the Spanish capital in the last year.
However, for the price that Real Madrid are after the Gunners should end their interest immediately. While Di Maria is a capable player who would strengthen the squad, he is not the sort of player Arsenal should be willing to spend such a hefty fee on. With the players Arsenal are being linked to, the money could be far better used in other areas and if the reported £100m available for Wenger to spend is correct, there is no need to waste such a large amount on this player.
Angel Di Maria is a player that Arsenal do not need in the squad. With the depth of talent on the wings that Arsenal have, Di Maria would be a wasted arrival. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott are players that currently play on the flanks and are capable enough to do so, therefore there is no need to seek out another player in this area. Moreover, the arrival would give young players like Serge Gnabry less playing time, hampering their development in an important stage of the young Germans career.
Arsenal are in dire need of a striker, as well as a new goalkeeper and a right-back to replace the departing Bacary Sagna. The Gunners also need a defensive midfielder but a winger is not an area that the North London side need to strengthen. Spending £45m on a winger would be truly bizarre, as such a hefty sum would be better used elsewhere.
Even if many Arsenal players leave this summer, signalling the need for new arrivals, there is better players available for the price that Real Madrid want. £45m for Di Maria is nothing short of daylight robbery and the Gunners would be foolish to continue their pursuit of the Argentinian.
In truth, even if Di Maria was available for the £25m Arsenal expected him to cost, then they still should not pursue his signature. As previously mentioned, the depth of talent on the wings is clear for all to see and does not need adding to, while spending the money will also mean less funds available to capture players that will fit into positions the Gunners sorely need.
It is worth mentioning that Di Maria has been played in a central midfield role for Real Madrid this season, a position where he has excelled. However, this doesn’t mean Arsena should make a move- as central midfield is another area Arsenal are strong. Di Maria is not a defensive midfielder, nor is he a striker, goalkeeper or right-back, so bringing him to the club would be a farce.
Do you think Arsenal should pursue di Maria even at this price? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo via Fanny Schertzer