Arsenal have reportedly drawn up a five-man striker shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window.
GOAL are reporting that the Gunners are in the market to add two new strikers to the Emirates Stadium this summer, with both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both set to depart in the coming months.
Manchester City ’s Jesus has been heavily linked with interest from the Gunners in recent months, but the report claims that five strikers known well across Europe are on Mikel Arteta’s side’s radar. The Brazilian has a year left on his contract and is set to fall down the pecking order at City due to the arrival of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
The report claims that talks between Arsenal and City over a move for Jesus have been underway for a number of weeks, although he is not the only player on the club’s radar. Napoli’s Nigerian international Victor Osimhen is also said to be high up on the list of strikers that the Gunners are looking at bringing in.
GOAL claim that Osimhen’s agent flew to London last week to discuss a move with Arsena’s sporting director Edu, although the Gunners are aware that a move would not be easy. It is believed that Napoli would want a fee considerably higher than the £68m they paid to sign him from Lille in 2020.
Which two players on Arsenal's five-man shortlist should the Gunners look at? Have your say in the comments section.
Another potential stumbling block in that deal would be the fact that Napoli will be playing in the Champions League next season while Arsenal failed to qualify for the competition ahead of next season, instead having to settle for a place in the Europa League.
While Jesus and Osimhen head up the shortlist as Arsenal look at adding two new strikers to their squad, more options are being considered. Roma’s Tammy Abraham, who has had a stellar first season in Italy, is an option, although it is likely to cost the Gunners a sizeable fee to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.
Also on the list are Everton duo Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. Calvert-Lewin is reportedly well-liked by those at Arsenal, while Brazilian Richarlison’s contract situation is also being looked at.
To add to a squad that already includes Brazilians Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners are close to completing a £3m move for Brazilian teenager Marquinhos. The 19-year-old winger is said to have flown to London last week for a medical ahead of a summer move from Sao Paulo.
Arsenal duo Lacazette and Nketiah are not the only players who could in line to exit, with Mohamed Elneny also linked with a departure.
