International attacker set to join Arsenal as Emery closes-in on 1st summer signing

Managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads during the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal are linked with Yacine Brahimi…

Arsenal are in advanced negotiations to sign Yacine Brahimi on a free transfer from Porto as Unai Emery closes-in on his first summer signing, according to reports via A Bola.

Emery is keen to strengthen his squad following a disappointing first year in England that saw us blow a golden opportunity to get back into the Champions League after finishing fifth in the league while we also lost to Chelsea in the Europa League final.

The Arsenal boss needs to bring in a number of new players to rejuvenate an ageing an unbalanced squad and a winger should be a top priority as we lack any genuine width in the ranks at present.

We’ve been linked with the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Ryan Fraser in recent months but it looks like Emery is eyeing a far cheaper option as Portuguese outlet A Bola cite a report from La Gazette Du Fennec that claims Arsenal are on the verge of signing Yacine Brahimi.

The Algerian newspaper says we’re in advanced negotiations to sign the 29-year-old winger on a free transfer after he ran down his contract with Porto following five years at the club.

A Bola says Brahimi is now set to join Arsenal after snubbing the likes of Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas in favour of a move to the Emirates after we offered him a £3.5m signing-on bonus.

According to the report, the Algerian international will complete his proposed move to Arsenal after he’s finished competing at the African Cup of Nations – which concludes later this month.

We’ll have to wait and see how much truth there is behind these reports but Brahimi would be an experienced addition to the squad and he’d be a much cheaper option compared to the likes of Zaha or Fraser. Emery is working on a tight budget so signing Brahimi on a free transfer would allow the boss to spend more money on other areas of the squad.

READ –> Arsenal transfer news

Brahimi is mainly a left winger but he can play anywhere across the attacking midfield positions so his versatility would be a very useful asset for Emery. The Algerian would also be a real threat in the final third as he’s provided an impressive 54 goals and 43 assists in his 215 appearances for Porto over the past five years.