'We heard the examples of Messi, Ibrahimovic' - Udeze urges Arsenal to close transfer deals fast

Former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze believes Premier League runners up Arsenal have not been decisive in the transfer market which has led to the north London side losing key targets.

The likes of Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are some of the players that could have signed for Arsenal under the reins of Arsene Wenger.

Wenger is no longer in charge of the team but current manager, Mikel Arteta is hoping to replicate some of the feats achieved by the lengedary French football tactician.

However, fans of the club are agitated on the slow pace of concluding the deal for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice and hope Arteta do not lose quality players as was the case on few occasions in the past.

Onetime West Brom left-back Udeze expressed his views on Brila FM on Wednesday morning.

"Arsenal are slow to concluding deals for their  transfer targets. That's why they sometimes lose top players they want. We heard the examples of  Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic," Udeze noted.

"But if they have now agreed a deal on the installment payment plan, that means he's indeed edging closer and can then do his medicals.

"We must know that passing a medical means that the contract is only 85% agreed and he hasn't signed just yet,"

Speaking on Spanish youngster, Iván Fresneda who has been linked with the Gunners and Barcelona, Udeze, who is a Barcelona supporter offered his opinion on how it might pan out.

"Iván Fresneda is just 18 years old. That seems the kind of age profile Arsenal would go for," Udeze further said on Brila FM:  

"But if Barcelona are now favorites to sign him, it means that he will play a few games and not go straight into the first team.

"The plan could be to gradually integrate him into the team until he gets to 20 years old.

Udeze concluded his submission on Arsenal with the comment of midfielder Albert Sambi-Lokonga who has expressed his desire to leave the club in search of first team playing time.

"Lokonga believes he's ripe to play regularly so he wants to go where he will have a playing time.

"I don't blame him because he wants to improve. So with the coming of Rice, that could mean Arsenal selling him to recoup some of the money they have spent on players so far," Udeze concluded.

Izuchukwu Michael

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