Arsenal might have lost the race to sign Max Aarons, with Norwich City reportedly adamant on their £30 million valuation of the full-back.
As reported by Norwich Evening News, Arsenal seem to have been priced out of a move for Max Aarons. The Gunners had been keen on snapping up the 20-year-old full-back in the summer transfer window, but are likely to be unable to meet their £30 million valuation.
Max Aarons is a player who has had the eyeballs on him ever since he first burst onto the scene at Norwich City. After impressing in the Championship, the 20-year-old has been one of the Canaries’ best players this season in the Premier League. Aarons has missed just three games all season, turning out 30 times for Norwich over the course of their campaign.
Even though Daniel Farke’s men appear destined to drop down to the second tier after just one season, Aarons is one of the players who could remain in the Premier League. He has already been linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester United, with Arsenal appearing to be keen as well.
The Gunners signed Cedric Soares on loan from Southampton in the January transfer window, but it is unclear if the Portuguese full-back will be signed on a permanent deal. If Arsenal do not take up that option, they would need to sign a right-back this summer, and for good reason.
Hector Bellerin has been the first-choice right-back for Arsenal pretty much since he broke into the first-team setup at the Emirates. However, in recent years, the Spaniard has been pegged back a great deal due to a spate of injuries. In such a scenario, it is imperative that Arsenal have a backup option in place for Mikel Arteta.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was extensively used by Unai Emery as the backup right-back, but since the arrival of Arteta, he has fallen out of favour in the first-team. The 22-year-old now seems to be on the exit trail, with Arsenal open to selling him, as per reports.
As a result, Aarons seems to be a viable target for the north Londoners. Apart from Arsenal, local rivals Tottenham have also been heavily linked with Aarons. In recent weeks, though, the Gunners were the club showing more serious interest. However, it now looks like Arsenal might have lost the race to sign him, having been told to pay £30 million for him.
Norwich City are adamant on their £30 million valuation of the young full-back. This figure, though, is out of range for Arsenal, who will be operating on a tight budget this summer. So, unless they are able to negotiate a lower sum, it looks like Arsenal’s pursuit of Aarons is as good as over.
