Arsenal have been told that they should target three Premier League players over Goncalo Ramos as it is “too early” to sign the young forward.
The Gunners may be forced into the transfer market in January after it was confirmed that Gabriel Jesus will be out of action for a couple of months.
Jesus joined Arsenal for £45m in the summer from Man City. He has not scored as many goals as he would have hoped but the forward is vital to the way they play and he has helped Mikel Arteta get the best out of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday morning that the Londoners are ‘considering a new signing’ in January.
‘I can reveal that Arsenal are considering a new signing because of the Gabriel Jesus injury being more serious than initially expected,’ Romano wrote for Caught Offside.
‘However, Folarin Balogun is expected to continue his loan season at Reims, as things stand.’
Earlier this month, Arsenal were encouraged to sign Ramos from Benfica during the winter window.
The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick for Portugal in the World Cup knockout stages and he is also being linked with Man Utd.
He will not come cheap though as his current contract at Benfica includes a £103m release clause.
Emmanuel Petit has warned his former club against signing Ramos, though. The club legend thinks the attacker “disappeared” during Portugal’s 1-0 quarter-final loss to Morocco.
Petit instead thinks Arsenal should move for Allan Saint-Maximin, Christian Pulisic or Wilfried Zaha.
“I’m so sad for Gabriel Jesus, honestly. He’s been doing a great job for Arsenal,” Petit said (via The Daily Star).
“I love watching him smile on the pitch and he has fit perfectly with Arteta and Arsenal.
“They need reinforcements in the transfer market. There was talk about Goncalo Ramos and although he scored a hat-trick against Switzerland, I think it’s too early.
“He didn’t have any impact against Morocco. No headers, no runs, no hold up.
“He disappeared on the pitch [vs Morocco] and I think he’s a good player, he’s doing a good job at Benfica but he’s not my first option.
“Zaha from Palace, Saint-Maximin from Newcastle or Pulisic from Chelsea would be my three they should target.”
Petit added: “Pulisic will fit perfectly with what Arteta wants.
“He loves playing one-touch football with good movement and he lives in London so it will be an easy switch.”
Neither of these players would exactly be exact replacements for Jesus, but they would give Arteta more options in attack.
They have been linked with Zaha in recent months and he is set to be out of contract next June.
Pulisic is also reportedly a target but Arsenal face competition from Newcastle United and Man Utd.
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