Arsenal closing in on £20m signing of Sporting striker Tiago Tomas

Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah & Folarin Balogun

Arsenal have big decisions to make on all three of their current centre-forward options.

Alexandre Lacazette is in the final 18 months of his deal and with age not on his side, and whether the Gunners decide to cash in during the summer remains to be seen. One would expect that given his age and inconsistencies, coupled with him being one of a few players in the squad who could garner a decent enough fee, that he will be moved on.

Eddie Nketiah will likely stay and pen fresh terms, maybe even with an eye on going on loan elsewhere depending on what happens with Tomas. If the Portuguese forward is deemed ready for action he may force a change of heart on Nketiah, although he may too be loaned out for the coming campaign.

Arteta has insisted that Balogun wants to remain at Arsenal, a feeling he shares, even expressing his confidence in a new contract being signed. On previous occasions where he’s said likewise, he’s been proven right.

The need for a better all-round striker, one who could ideally head a ball, remains a necessity, but it’s fair to assume that task won’t be immediately bestowed upon an 18-year-old with only a smattering of senior outings to his name. If all goes ahead, his role could be with the Under-23 side or indeed temporarily elsewhere.

One key point is the hefty fee. £20m may not seem like a considerable amount, but knowing of Arsenal’s tight finances and spending that much on a striker who will may have little impact for the coming season is intriguing. The club clearly don’t want to miss out on his signature and believe he’ll blossom into a superstar, yet a slightly more experienced option will arguably be more alluring to supporters. That may still come.

Arsenal are planning for the future and it’s welcome to see business being dealt with so early in the year, if indeed the report is to be believed. Edu and Arteta obviously see something special in the striker, so here’s to another Gabriel Martinelli and not a Willian.