Unai Emery has reportedly been offered the chance to sign winger Yannick Carrasco this January, but Belgian football expert Kristof Terreur says Arsenal can't afford him.
Carrasco, formerly of Atletico Madrid, is believed to be desperate to leave his Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang this month as his family have struggled to settle in the country.
But speaking on Sky Sports' Transfer Talk podcast , Terreur says the huge wages he earns in China are a stumbling block to suitors.
"Arsenal are looking for a winger, but do not have the money to buy him," said Terreur.
"If they are considering to take him on loan, he will have to take a pay-cut, because he earns around 180,000 euros a week. It's a lot of money.
"It's difficult for him to find a new club when he's on big wages. I think that will run until the last days of the transfer window, where some clubs become desperate, and maybe Arsenal will be one.
"But at the moment, he has just been offered there, they have not made a proposal, so now there are no negotiations ongoing, but they have been made aware that he is available, and Unai Emery of course knows him from his period in Spain."
Terreur also claimed that Manchester United looked at Carrasco, but decided against a move for him due to the attacking talents already at the club.
"He just wants to leave China, and his people are offering him everywhere," he continued.
"He wants to go to England, he wants to be closer to home.
"But I do not think Manchester United need this type of player right now, if you have Rashford, Lukaku, Lingard, Martial, Sanchez, Mata, so I don't think he would play over there."
Jackvader
103
Carrasco wants to play for Unai Emery 2 weeks later... Carrasco signed for Chelsea because Arsenal cannot afford him THIS IS STUPID
GateWaye
87
Arsenal can't even afford Player from China? When will this team change?☝️
Lutfil_Hadi
76
Nah arsenal is not facing any forwards crisis they are facing defender problem too many injuries.They shld focus on getting some defenders.And I think the Goalkeeper Leno is not rly that good to my opinion
sazbkmptuy
69
Trust me ... It's best to sell Ozil now , when he still plays good football ... Arsenal needs to sell many of their defenders as most of them are over aged ... Selling Ozil can bring Arsenal 30-40 Million and also clear his 300k per week wage ... Arsenal must also sell mkhitarian , koscieliny , nacho monreal , lichsteiner and also mustafi who could bring around 65-75 million ... So Arsenal will have around 100 million to spend in total ... Arsenal must try bringing either James or Isco or Denis Suarez , purchasing Alderwield will also benefit the club very much coz he has atleast 5 years of football left .... So from my point of view this is the ideal team