Signing £66m player could be a huge mistake for Arsenal this summer

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With the summer transfer window in mind, it seems as if Mikel Arteta and Arsenal should already be targeting some obvious improvements. 

Arteta needs a new striker, there’s very little doubt about that right now.

Gabriel Jesus definitely has a place at the top of the game, he shouldn’t be going anywhere.

But with Eddie Nketiah not entrusted to start during another Jesus’ injury absence, the writing should be on the wall.

Arsenal need a striker who can score 20 goals a season, and someone who Arteta fully believes in.

That being said, a central midfielder should also be on the menu, with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong an irresistible option if he’s available.

And quite pertinently, given Arteta’s need for a new centre-back at Arsenal this summer, De Jong’s former teammate could also be available.

But whilst a move for de Jong would look very clever, signing Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt might not be as advisable.

De Ligt is said to be increasingly unhappy at Bayern given his lack of football, and Fabrizio Romano has now been providing the latest update there.

Signing Matthijs de Ligt could be a mistake for Arsenal in summer window

Whilst there’s no doubt regarding de Ligt’s ability, he would be an imperious presence in the Premier League, but a move to Arsenal would be swapping one selection issue for another.

Arsenal do need a centre-back, but any new face isn’t likely to disrupt Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba’s partnership.

Arteta needs better back up for Saliba, a role that is too small for a player of de Ligt’s quality.

The £66m-defender deserves to be playing first team football at the highest level, his concerns at Bayern are perfectly legitimate.

But a move in the summer transfer window to Arsenal just wouldn’t make sense for the reasons mentioned.

Arteta wants fierce competition in all areas, but there has to be a balance, and unhappy players won’t help.

That being said, perhaps Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande would represent a better option for Arsenal in the summer window.

The 20-year-old will also want to start football matches, but given he’s at an earlier stage of his career, he’d probably be better prepared to be patient.

All that being said, pundit Ally McCoist has actually been warning Arsenal away from a different summer deal.