New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag appears set to disrupt Arsenal ’s transfer plans this summer, after reports claim that United have joined Mikel Arteta in the race for a wonderkid striker. The Dutchman was announced as the next head coach last month, with a lot of work set to be done at the club over the summer.
They will have to make some changes if they are to catch up with the Gunners, who currently hold a five point lead over the Red Devils having played two games fewer. That’s only after Arteta had a reshape of the squad himself, spending over £150million to get the squad competing once more.
The Spaniard is set to spend more this summer, especially in the forward department, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to leave the club as free agents. On the need for a goal scorer, he said: “Any successful team needs enough goal threat in the squad. Without it, you have nothing. You can play good football, but you need enough goal threat in the team.”
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A number of players have been linked to fill that role, from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Darwin Nunez to Alexander Isak and Jonathan David. The Gunners have also been eyeing a move for Reims youngster Hugo Ekitike.
The 19-year-old has had a breakout season so far, making 21 league appearances and scoring nine goals. His rise at the French club has been compared by the Daily Mail to that of Kylian Mbappe, who came through at Monaco at a young age.
However, according to ESPN, Manchester United are also set to join the race to sign the France youth international. They claim that Reims would ask for £13million to let him leave this summer, while Newcastle and Bayern Munich also join the Gunners in their interest.
Given the potential need to sign more than one striker this summer, having one seasoned professional and one wonderkid could be an ideal dynamic for the club to recruit. However, if United get involved, then it could become a tough task to recruit the youngster, who has been tipped for big things.
