Arsenal looked set to battle Newcastle in the summer transfer window to sign a key forward. However, the Magpies new imminent signing gives the Gunners a clear road to signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
According to French news outlet RMC Sport, Reims have accepted a €45million (£38million) including bonuses offer from Newcastle United for 19-year-old striker Hugo Ekitike. The player has apparently agreed a five-year contract with the Toon.
This comes after the Mirror had reported that Newcastle were set to make a bid for Everton striker Calvert-Lewin, with Manchester United and Arsenal also expressing an interest.
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It seems as though Nketiah will be set to stay at the club in the near future. According to the Daily Mail , the Hale End academy graduate is closing in on a new contract that will see him beyond this summer. The report claims that the details included a five-year deal that would take him until 2027 at the club with a wage of £100,000-per-week. There is also a £5million bonus that will be paid out across the deal, potentially saving the Gunners millions in signing another striker.
Despite Nketiah remaining at the club, the Gunners will still need to sign another forward at the club as Alexandre Lacazette is on his way out. And with Folarin Balogun’s future yet to be confirmed it means that Arsenal could be left with just one.
However, Calvert-Lewin is a player who has been touted to prevent the striker shortages at Arsenal. With Newcastle seemingly deciding to opt against signing him, it now gives the Gunners one less competitor in securing his services.
Edu can look to exploit the transfer market to unlock a new attacking style, which will elevate Arteta’s team in the final third if they can sign a striker with an aerial presence. Calvert-Lewin would be the perfect signing to fill this void, as he has the necessary height and aerial dominance alongside the Premier League experience. He has scored 44 Premier League goals so far in his career, with 19 coming via his head.
Calvert-Lewin was a decent transfer option at the start of the season. However, this campaign has proved that Arsenal may be better to turn their attentions elsewhere after the forward suffered numerous injury issues, which has been a constant problem for Arteta’s squad this season.
There is a £60million price tag that is being quoted for him, and that price is now likely to stick after the Toffees confirmed their status in the Premier League ahead of next season, which certainly could be considered as excessive. Despite this, there is every chance that Arsenal could complete a transfer after Newcastle’s likely dismissal in the battle to secure his transfer.
