Arsenal are being linked with a reported £84m double move for Antonio Nusa and Igor Matanović, and both names come with prices that have already moved up fast. Nusa is said to be the subject of an initial formal offer of around €40million (£34m), while Matanovic has been valued at £50million after a strong start. The appeal is obvious. The cost is rising just as the window pressure starts to matter.

Nusa's price and Leipzig's stance

The case for Nusa starts with output, because his numbers have looked sharp enough to draw attention. He has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 Bundesliga appearances this season, while one source described him as having 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 Bundesliga games. That split matters less than the broader point, which is that RB Leipzig are not dealing from weakness.

Leipzig are said to have no interest in letting Nusa go in January, and his contract runs until 2029. They are also 9th in the Bundesliga with 6 points from 4 league matches, so there is no obvious sporting need to cash in quickly.

Matanovic's surge and Freiburg's leverage

Matanovic's rise has been even more dramatic on the valuation side. SC Freiburg's forward has been valued at £50million after a start that was previously described as a £30million summer player. He has 3 Bundesliga goals in 4 league appearances and 6 goals, 1 assist in 7 games across all competitions, which explains why the interest has escalated so quickly.

A source speaking to teamtalk.com said: "Matanovic looks like someone who’s really ready to explode this season. He’s 23 now, entering his prime, and he knows clubs have been looking at him. He’d be open to moving to England if the offers come in." That openness is one thing, but Freiburg are 3rd in the Bundesliga with 10 points from 4 matches, so they are not under pressure to sell cheaply.

Arsenal's pitch is clear enough: two in-form Bundesliga attackers, one club willing to move early, and two selling clubs in strong positions. The harder part is the price, especially with January resistance already shaping both negotiations.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →