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Edu sniffs major Arsenal bargain as winger ambitions see firm decision made

Arsenal are reportedly planning their next move after reports emerged claiming top target Noa Lang is ready to push for a move away from Club Brugge in the New Year.

The Gunners showed in the summer transfer window that they are intent on recruiting youthfully. All six of their permanent additions were aged 23 or younger. And they appear to be sticking with this method going forward.

One man they’ve identified who fits this bill is Club Brugge winger Noa Lang. He’s 22 years old, so another potential star of the future like Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

After amassing 17 goals and 11 assists in just 37 games last season, Lang is very much a player in demand.

The Gunners though are not alone in their pursuit, with AC Milan are hovering around the skilful winger. However, his name first became familiar with English audiences though after Leeds United expressed a strong interest in signing him over the summer.

However, it is Arsenal who are reportedly in the driving seat to sign Lang. And their hopes have now seemingly been boosted following a major decision made by the winger.

As per the Daily Express, citing Voetbal 24, Lang has now decided he needs to leave Club Brugge. They have been the perfect vehicle for him to gain vital experience, particularly in the Champions League.

However, in order to fulfil his ambitions of being part of the Netherlands squad at World Cup 2022, he knows he needs a high-profile move to push himself further into the limelight.

Lang already has two senior caps to his name but wants to do all he can to ensure he’s on the plane to Qatar.

And sensing an opportunity, Arsenal sporting director Edu is looking to bring Lang to Emirates Stadium.

Brugge are reportedly seeking a fee in the region of £34.2m (€40m) for Lang – a fee not beyond the Gunners.

However, Edu could look to finance the deal by offering them the chance to sign Reiss Nelson in return. The winger, not a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans, has been loaned to Feyenoord for the 2021/22 season.

Nelson signed a new deal with Arsenal before leaving on loan – but that was more to protect Arsenal’s valuation of the star.

Lang agent explains Leeds failure

Lang’s agent has often been willing to discuss his client’s future too.

He revealed back in September why a prospective move to Leeds failed to get off the ground.

“Towards the end there was concrete interest from several competitions. As much as he likes to be at Club Brugge, you noticed he was getting more restless, which makes sense,” Bart Baving told Het Laatste Nieuws.

However, Bart Baving suggested at the time that Brugge’s asking price proved too high at the time for his suitors.

“You saw that clubs were economical. We also heard amounts above €25m for Teun Koopmeiners. In the end, he went to Atalanta for €14m,” he explained.

“With the amount Club Brugge had in mind for Noa, it had become difficult anyway. Add to that, Noa didn’t want to exchange this club for any team.”

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