According to Sky Sports News, Arsenal are in talks with Yacine Brahimi and could sign the left-winger on a free transfer following his departure from FC Porto. Everton were linked with the 29-year-old earlier in June, but it appears the Toffees will miss out on Brahimi this summer.
It’s a blow for Marcel Brands and Marco Silva, but they may also be happy saving £12.4m-a-year on wages for a player who is soon to turn 30. Brahimi is out of contract and won’t require a transfer fee, but the Algerian international won’t come cheap.
According to Anthony Chapman of The Sun, Brahimi wants a £3.5m signing-on-fee, that would have to come out of the transfer budget, and requested a £79k-per-week contract. That’s not to say he wouldn’t be a good acquisition, however. The 29-year-old contributed 22 goals in 49 games in all competitions last season, creating 35 chances.
It wouldn’t be the best business decision for Everton to sign Brahimi. It’s surprising that Arsenal are interested in the winger. The Algerian winger he’s the exact opposite player the Toffees want in their squad. Brands wants to lower the average age and wage bill at Goodison Park, but Brahimi is the antithesis of such a philosophy.