Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Bailey Keogh

Christopher Nkunku's shock transfer decision could solve Mikel Arteta's Arsenal conundrum

Arsenal should have been put on red alert after Christopher Nkunku reportedly announced his desire to leave RB Leipzig. The Frenchman would be a perfect signing for the Gunners next season.

According to French news outlet L'Equipe, the French international wants to leave his current club in the summer, despite Leipzig's intentions to keep him at the club. Arsenal has been linked to him in the past, and they reportedly recently reignited their interest in the player.

Nkunku's versatility across the midfield and the forward positions makes him a very attractive signing. Even more so for Arsenal when you consider Mikel Arteta's need to strengthen in both the midfield and attacking departments for the summer.

READ MORE: Man Utd transfer for World Cup winner could be hijacked by Arsenal amid Nicolas Pepe decision

Nkunku would certainly be the answer to the striker problems, and it seems that Edu agrees, as according to French news outlet Foot Mercato, Arsenal are looking to sign Nkunku in the summer transfer. However, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in potentially signing him.

The Gunners were heavily linked to the Frenchman in the January window of 2019 when he was still a player at Paris Saint-Germain. Since Arsenal failed to sign him, Nkunku has gone on to become of Europe's most attractive players, and it would make sense for Edu to register interest in him once again.

Arsenal will be in desperate need of two new strikers in the summer transfer window, with both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah's days looking increasingly numbered. Both players' contracts are set to expire at the end of the season and they have been linked with a move away from the club.

Crystal Palace are hopeful of signing Nketiah on a free transfer in the summer. Patrick Vieira failed in his bid to bring him in at the start of this season, with the two clubs unable to agree on a fee, but this will no longer be an issue.

If he does depart from the club, along with Lacazette, then Folarin Balogun would be the only remaining striker at the club, meaning two striker signings may be required to combat the need for greater squad depth if Arsenal secure a return to the Champions League.

Edu has the perfect chance to further scout Nkunku until the end of the season, as the Frenchman continues to carry his side in the Europa League. There is also a chance to see him play against English opposition, as RB Leipzig could meet West Ham in the final of the competition in May.

The 24-year-old has played in 48 games so far this season and has scored an impressive 31 goals alongside providing 20 assists in these games. Nine of these goal contributions had come from matches in the Champions League, showing that Nkunku can compete at an elite level.

Securing Nkunku's services will be anything but easy, as French news outlet L'Equipe has also reported that several top clubs around Europe are also interested in signing him. But if Arsenal manages to pull off a potential deal, Arteta's squad would certainly be enhanced.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.