Arsenal transfer rumours: £15m Alassane Plea interest

With summer rapidly approaching, Arsenal fans have their eyes peeled on potential trade rumors and gossip. With the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang unclear, Arsenal could be gearing up to look for a new solidified forward.

Many supporters are content with giving Folarian Balogun a run next campaign, which I am not opposed to, but question marks remain whether he are going to perform consistently and at an elite level giving his age and inexperience.

The Gunners need to bring in a player who creates for themselves and their teammates, which is a department that lacks in the offensive approach. Arsenal have been stagnant on the attacking end all season, failing to make create enough meaningful chances, convert said opportunities or cause opposition defenses any source of discomfort. Arsenal need a goalscorer who will stick the ball in the net regularly, plain and simple. Especially with a midfield that does not contribute.

The latest player to be linked with the Gunners is striker Alassane Plea from German side Borussia Mönchengladbach, as per the Daily Mail. Plea has been a crucial part in their domestic and Champions League campaign, while also forming a dynamic duo with strike partner Marcus Thuram over the years, one of the better strike forces in the Bundesliga.

Arsenal transfer rumours: £15m Alassane Plea interest from Borussia Mönchengladbach

Plea is admittedly not prolific with a goal roughly once every three games for his side, but can do a little bit of everything on the pitch for his team. He scores and assists, and boasts excellent work-rate in Mönchengladbach’s explosive style. A willing player to make darting runs and cover his full-back, he can either receive the ball in a dangerous areas or create open spaces for his teammates. His off the ball movement shows signs of real intelligence.

Someone who likes to help build outside of the box, such variety in attack makes him tough to cover from a defensive standpoint.

Another thing to like about Plea is his experience. At 28, he has made the journey from the Ligue 1 to the Bundesliga, where he is now playing on the biggest stages, including this season’s Champions League. A well established forward, he’s someone who can make an instant impact in the Arsenal squad.

This season he has an unimpressive five goals and one assist goal in 26 Bundesliga appearances, but he did light up on the European group stage where he was involved in half of his team’s goals, thus showcasing his ability in the world’s biggest club competition.

At £15m, the Gunners could receive the Frenchman at a decent price. Would the costs outweigh the risks? Plea has been solid in the German top-flight for the past three seasons, without being spectacular. He is still young(ish) enough for growth and has an excellent engine that is an essential element in the Arteta system. He has tried his taste in French and German football, why not English?

With the summer market on the horizon, the looming question is who will Arsenal sign? Will they keep Lacazette and Aubameyang – even if the aforementioned report seems wildly speculative on the captain’s future – or will new forward talent be desired to give fans the results something to cheer about. Time will tell, but for right now, supporters are closely monitoring the movements made in the top office.