{"id":22659,"date":"2026-07-29T16:02:48","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22659"},"modified":"2026-07-29T16:02:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:02:48","slug":"arsenal-to-target-move-for-antonio-nusa-if-vinicius-jr-chase-fails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22659","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal to target move for Antonio Nusa if Vinicius Jr. chase fails"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Arsenal have prepared alternative plans in case their ambitious pursuit of Real Madrid\u2019s leading Brazilian forward ends without an agreement. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Gunners remain interested in adding an elite left-sided attacker, but Madrid\u2019s determination to keep Vinicius Junior means Mikel Arteta and the recruitment team cannot afford to depend on one difficult transfer.<\/p>\n

Four very different options have now been identified: Antonio Nusa, Christian Pulisic, Ibrahim Mbaye and Brahim D\u00edaz.<\/p>\n

The shortlist offers a mixture of immediate experience, long-term potential and tactical versatility.<\/p>\n

Arsenal must now determine whether they want a ready-made difference-maker or a younger player who can develop within Arteta\u2019s system.<\/p>\n

Arsenal place four alternatives under consideration<\/h2>\n

Sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside<\/strong> <\/em>that RB Leipzig winger Nusa currently sits at the top of Arsenal\u2019s alternative shortlist.<\/p>\n

The Gunners are expected to explore Leipzig\u2019s demands before deciding whether to make a formal approach.<\/p>\n

The Sun has also reported that Arsenal are competing for the Norwegian, with Leipzig valuing him at approximately \u00a351 million.<\/p>\n

Pulisic represents the most experienced option. The former Chelsea attacker understands the Premier League and has rebuilt his reputation at AC Milan.<\/p>\n

His ability to play on either wing would give Arteta an established performer rather than another developmental project.<\/p>\n

The report also names Mbaye and D\u00edaz. Mbaye would be a long-term investment, while D\u00edaz could offer immediate creativity across several attacking positions.<\/p>\n

Arsenal\u2019s interest in the PSG youngster has previously been reported by SportsBoom.<\/p>\n

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Nusa looks like the best balance of talent and value<\/h2>\n

Arsenal are right to prepare alternatives because waiting indefinitely for an uncertain Madrid deal could leave them scrambling late in the window.<\/p>\n

The left side of Arteta\u2019s attack still needs greater unpredictability and individual quality, particularly against opponents who defend deep.<\/p>\n

Pulisic would be the safest short-term choice, but his Chelsea history and likely salary could complicate negotiations.<\/p>\n

Mbaye has enormous potential, although asking an 18-year-old to make an immediate impact in a title-winning side would be risky.<\/p>\n

D\u00edaz is technically excellent and tactically flexible, but he is more comfortable drifting inside than consistently stretching the pitch.<\/p>\n

Nusa appears to offer the best compromise. He is young enough to improve, but experienced enough to contribute immediately.<\/p>\n

His acceleration, close control and willingness to attack defenders would give Arsenal a natural threat on the left.<\/p>\n

The Madrid superstar remains the dream signing, but Arsenal should not allow one glamorous pursuit to distract them from completing the right deal.<\/p>\n

Nusa may bring less worldwide attention, yet his profile could fit Arteta\u2019s team more naturally and leave room for further investment elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Report: Arsenal add Serie A breakout star to shortlist after defensive blow<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Arsenal have prepared alternative plans in case their ambitious pursuit of Real Madrid\u2019s leading Brazilian…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22659\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}