Arsenal plan surprise £25m Moussa Dembele transfer

Moussa Dembele the Right Profile of Striker for Arsenal

The Celtic connection here is interesting. Arsenal, as added in the report, are still keeping a watchful eye on Odsonne Edouard, who will be available for less this summer with a deal somewhere between £15m-£20m enough for the Bhoys to sell.

Securing the right profile is imperative for Arsenal. They have to get the signings bang on and with Dembele they’re certainly in the right ballpark, just have brought the wrong bat.

At 24 years old, with a strong physical presence, experience in Europe both domestically and in the Champions League as well as having played in England (and even London) before, he really does fit the bill.

However, it’s hard to look past his worrying scoring rates this season. Granted, in the opening 16 games of the Ligue 1 season he started only six times, but the lack of return doesn’t set the pulses racing when what Arsenal’s own abysmal goal return this season is in need of amending.

Dembele can count himself unlucky by losing his place in the starting lineup just five matches into the season and then fracturing his arm before being tasked with breaking into a side on course for their domestic league crown, which will be where Arteta will add mitigation.

The striker is comfortable playing the lone role up front in either a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-2-1, but at £25m and with the infamously tough negotiator Jean-Michel Aulas to deal with, there is risk attached. Edouard remains an enticing option but there are others available, too.

Many will point to whether Arsenal even need a centre-forward with Folarin Balogun, Aubameyang and potentially Martinelli to play that role and with no midweek football to contend with, especially if the shoestring budget limits where they can strengthen.

Dembele is a well-rounded striker who has not had the rub of the green this season. Form, fitness and those ahead of him excelling haven’t helped his case, and while he may not be the striker, Arsenal are looking at the right mould.