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Ex-Arsenal star Gilles Grimandi believes his former club will be unsuccessful in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia next year.
Mikel Arteta’s side are set to prioritise the signing of a new left winger in 2027, after falling to replace Gabriel Martinelli this summer, and it’s understood that Kvaratskhelia is among their dream targets.
The Georgia international is widely regarded as one of the best players in world football and he is among the outsiders contenders to win the Ballon d’Or after playing a pivotal role in PSG’s second consecutive Champions League triumph last campaign.
Arsenal’s interest is therefore extremely unsurprising, but Grimandi believes that a deal is unlikely to take place.
“This guy is special. He’s special because he’s always good in the big games and last season, every time when the competition was getting close to the end, he was getting better and better,” Grimandi told GOAL when asked if Kvaratskhelia would be an ideal signing for Arsenal.
“He has fantastic commitment, he’s running, he’s defending and when he gets the ball in the final third, he’s very efficient. For me, he’s a special guy.
“He looks like he’s choosing his games because so far this season he hasn’t played too many, but he just knows that he wants to be prepared for the spring time and that’s his target. He knows that big games will come.
“He can play for any team in Europe, of course he can play for Arsenal. For me, he’s one of the best players in his position.”
Grimandi added: “I don’t think they will do it. Now it’s complicated when the guy plays in Paris because they have a huge salary and they do not need any money so it’s quite complicated to pick up one of the best players and bring him to another team except if there is a problem.
“Barcola was not supposed to be in the starting line-up this season so they let the door open if he wants to leave. But Kvaratskhelia, they don’t let him go because they know that in the spring time he will be one of the more important players.”
Who could Arsenal sign instead of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?
With a deal for Kvaratskhelia extremely unlikely, Arsenal will be forced to pursue an alternative left winger in 2027 and it has been widely reported that both Kenan Yildiz and Kevin Schade are among their top targets.
Meanwhile, there remains a possibility that Real Madrid could look to sell Vinicius Junior after his underwhelming start to the new season.
Arsenal would likely be the frontrunners to sign the Brazil superstar if he becomes available, although they may be required to make him the most expensive player in Premier League history if they are to finalise a deal.
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