Arsenal Scout £66m Vinicius Jr Alternative, Transfer Talks Underway

· GiveMeSport

Arsenal are eyeing up a potential move for RB Leipzig and Norway winger Antonio Nusa for the January transfer window

Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of signing RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa ahead of the January transfer window, with scouts attending his last three matches.

According to TEAMTalk , the Gunners are interested and talks have started with Nusa’s representatives. But Leipzig are determined to keep the Norway international and value him at £66million. That figure would make him the club’s third most expensive signing of all-time, behind Declan Rice and the summer arrival of Bruno Guimaraes.

A move to the Premier League champions is thought to appeal to Nusa, who is considered as an alternative to Vinicius Jr after he turned them down to remain at Real Madrid. As well as Arsenal, Bayern Munich are among the others keen on landing Nusa.

The 21-year-old has been in blistering form so far this season, scoring six goals and providing eight assists in 15 appearances for Leipzig. He found the net and impressed in Leipzig’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League earlier this month, giving Matheus Nunes a real torrid time on that side.

Nusa has since taken his form into the November international break, as he produced a sensational performance during Norway’s 3-1 win against Wales on Saturday. He scored Norway’s opener on the hour mark, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box before firing a low shot into the bottom corner, giving Karl Darlow no chance.

As well as that, Nusa had the most shots (4), the most touches in the opposition box (8) and recorded a 87 per cent pass accuracy. From a defensive point-of-view, Nusa did the hard yards, making three tackles, three interceptions and won six ground duels.

He was awarded a 8/10 rating by Tipsbladet , who hailed the Leipzig winger for 'doing everything on his own' and being a 'constant moment of unrest' for Welsh defenders.

Arsenal should sign Nusa in January. Although Christos Tzolis has made a fine start to life at the Emirates Stadium, it does feel as though the Gunners are still a top-class left-winger short of becoming a dominant force for years to come.

They tried to bring Vinicius to north London in the summer, only to be rejected by the Brazilian, who instead opted to commit his future to Real Madrid. And with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard leaving for pastures new, it has left the Gunners light on that side. Eberechi Eze has filled in as back-up to Tzolis, who joined in a £34m deal from Club Brugge, and has done a decent job, but the left wing is no doubt their weakest area.

It would leave a gaping hole for Nusa to come in and be the nailed on starter in Mikel Arteta’s first XI at the Emirates. Right now, there aren't too many wingers better than Nusa in European football, and he has so much potential to get even better. At 21, he has age on his side and is already performing at such a high level for Leipzig and Norway this season.

Arsenal could do much worse by making a move for Nusa and giving their squad a lift it might need if they want to retain the Premier League title and go one better by winning the Champions League this season. And £66m is not a bad fee at all for a player that has the capabilities to be £100m-plus in years to come.

Nusa, who is renowned for his explosive pace and direct style, would slot in on the left side in a first-choice front three that includes Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. Tzolis would then act as back-up with Eze following and supporting Martin Odegaard in the No.10.

Some Arsenal fans have been calling for Odegaard to start ‘tapping up’ Nusa now, with the duo international teammates with Norway and have been playing together for some time now. That could offer the Gunners a real advantage in the race to sign him.

After Norway's win against Wales, Odegaard was asked about the increasing interest involving teammate Nusa. But the Arsenal captain refused to be drawn into the speculation surrounding a potential move for the Leizpig talent.

On the topic of future Arsenal players, Odegaard - during an interview with TV2 - was asked which one Norwegian player would be bring to north London if he had the option.

> “I can see you’re trying to get some big headlines here," Odegaard replied. “So no comment.”

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