Arsenal decide next transfer objective ahead of January window
Arteta invites Wenger to return to Arsenal in some capacity
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Arsenal have reportedly set their sights on signing a new striker when the transfer window reopens in January. The Gunners spent more than anyone else in the Premier League in the summer after the club handed Mikel Arteta a £150million warchest to overhaul the playing squad.
Although that approach drew scepticism, and some of their signings were criticised heavily at the time, it’s one that’s paid dividends for the Londoners.
Prior to last weekend’s 4-0 loss against Liverpool, Arsenal were the form team in the Premier League after an eight-game unbeaten run.
They still sit just outside the top four and seem to have a real opportunity to bring European football back to the Emirates next year.
JUST IN: Liverpool told to beat Man Utd to £135m striker but Owen disagrees
With their six summer signings all currently in the first team and thriving, it should come as no real surprise that Arteta and technical director Edu are already plotting their next move.
Arsenal’s desire for a striker has been well documented given the uncertainty around Alexandre Lacazette’s future. And according to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are eager to bring in a new forward next year.
The Frenchman will have just six months remaining on his contract when the transfer window reopens in January; meaning he’ll be free to negotiate with teams outside of England.
There are also doubts over the long-term future of young Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah. The Hale End graduate has been heavily linked with a move in recent months, which would leave Arteta woefully short on attacking options.
Despite that, the Gunners have exceeded expectations this year; particularly after a nightmare start that saw them head into the first international break of the season rock bottom of the Premier League.
Arsenal’s impressive revival has been largely down to the form of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. The duo have been involved in 11 goals between them and have been a breath of fresh air at a club that has stagnated over recent years.
They’ve also helped to reinvigorate Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, who currently tops the Gunners’ scoring charts so far this term with seven goals.
He’s put a torrid run of form and illness behind him to lead the line for Arteta’s side this year, but Arsenal would be caught woefully short if he were to be unavailable for any reason – perhaps explaining Arsenal’s reluctance to wait until next summer to bolster their frontline.
Follow our new Daily Express Sport Instagram page here
https://www.instagram.com/
Although it won’t come as a surprise that Arsenal are in the market for another striker given the uncertainty over the futures of Lacazette and Nketiah, it remains to be seen how much they’ll be able to spend after splashing the cash in the summer.
The Gunners have been relentlessly linked with Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic over the past few months.
But Arsenal could find that the Serbian is too rich for them given that the Serie A side reportedly value their talisman at an eye-watering £70m.
That price tag could mean that Arteta and Edu are forced to explore other options if they remain adamant that a deal for a striker must be done in January.
Source: Read Full Article