Arsenal open Andre Silva talks over £34m transfer

No player is safe. No position is safe. And no potential transfer target across Europe is safe from being the subject of Arsenal interest, discussion or speculation. Given how outstanding Andre Silva was last season, it’s of little surprise two and two have made four.

Only three players scored more goals across the continent in 2020/21; two of them are regarded as two of the greatest footballers of all time and the third one would have scooped the Ballon d’Or were it being held last year. In the height of the summer transfer window, that makes Andre Silva hot property.

28 goals and seven assists in 32 Bundesliga outings is exceptional productivity, and five more than Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored combined in 28 fewer matches.

Arsenal’s major issue last season was not scoring enough. Glancing at over £100m worth of forward talent and seeing that return makes that clear. Of course, a prolific striker is not the only solution to that issue, as demonstrated with the £50m pursuit of Ben White which is arguably more to do with attacking output than defensive, but it would help.

Arsenal open Andre Silva talks over £34m transfer with Eintracht Frankfurt in summer window as Alexandre Lacazette replacement

Mikel Arteta also can’t rely on academy kids like Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka to be hitting double figures either, while an uninspiring midfield needs revamping to aid in build-up and stability. Full-backs who aren’t either single-faceted or perennially injured would help, too.

There are plenty of actions to take to aid the miserable goal return.

It is, however, tough to avoid the strikers across Europe who makes scoring look easy. Those who always find the appropriate finish for the occasion and have an intelligence to be in the right place at the right time. Alexander Isak is showing signs of that with Real Sociedad and Sweden, but he’d also cost double what Eintracht Frankfurt want for Silva.

As per the Transfer Window Podcast, featuring journalists Ian McGarry and Duncan Castles – the latter who first broke the Ruben Neves news – Arsenal have opened talks with Silva’s representatives to express their interest. They’re keen, but so are RB Leipzig, and Frankfurt would let him leave for £34m.

They’ve informed his camp that they will need to sell before buying, earmarking Alexandre Lacazette as the player who will be moved on in order to bring in Silva. It will be interesting to see whether this gathers more traction elsewhere to give it greater credibility.

In terms of the player though, if anything it’s surprising he hasn’t been linked with more clubs given his outstanding scoring rates. Beyond that, his overall profile is enticing and taking a closer look at him you can see why any club would be interested.

Continued…

Andre Silva Would Aid Central Progression & Bring Goals to Arsenal

Whoever plays centre-forward for Arsenal has to be able to aid in various phases of the play. As games wear on and the ball is dominated Aubameyang drops off less yet there can be no passengers.

Silva, in Frankfurt’s 3-4-2-1 system does the linking element effectively and simply. With two No.10/8 hybrids either side he will come short for one or two touch build up with willing runners beyond, a valuable tool in centralised progression – someone previously listed as a potential target.

His xG from ball progression is in the 90th percentile which demonstrates his intelligence in using picking the right passes during these phases of play. Silva’s technical ability stands out in these moments and averaging 9.00 passes under pressure is an example of the confidence he has to invite bodies and play his way out of tight spaces.

Not an overly creative passer, he can carry the ball into dangerous areas too while his ball retention is above average for centre-forwards across Europe.

But, of course, it’s his goalscoring that is the main feature. Sure, with pace to his side he does the connective elements well, you just can’t ignore his scoring numbers.

What will please Arteta – if he is as interested as claimed – is that Silva is strong in the air. Standing at little over six foot, he scored eight headed goals last season, which is apparently with some credit to Cristiano Ronaldo who has been offering his insight during Portugal training.

Silva has an array of finishes with either foot, all of which are very pure. There is real conviction with his shooting, no half measures, and he strikes the ball well and true each time; whether drilled low or bent high, it always looks natural.

It would be fair to say on a few occasions that he has had the rub of the green, whether it be a fortunate deflection into his path or goalkeeper parry – but you make your own luck. Also, in terms of service, Silva has been well fed: Filip Kostic and Daichi Kamada had a joint 32 assists in 2020/21.

Is this a deal Arsenal should pursue?

Sustainability the Andre Silva Issue for Arsenal

£34m for a striker who notched 39 goal involvements in 34 Bundesliga and cup outings is an absolute steal. Outscoring Erling Haaland last season, Silva is finding form at precisely the right time as at 25 years old if he wasn’t clocking these numbers you’d fear whether he could hit the heights expected of him.

And this is the issue, as prior to finding his feet in Germany his numbers were hugely uninspiring. Mustering just two Serie A goals in 24 outings from his time with AC Milan, the club lost faith and sent him on loan to Sevilla. An improved strike rate in La Liga followed, yet Silva still only managed 11 goals for the whole season.

Since moving to Frankfurt on loan and then making the deal permanent last summer he’s blossomed. Where there is concern is whether that can be replicated elsewhere. Silva is free flowing in his side with the teammates around him and in a division not regularly lauded for its defensive quality, and the adjustment to a division like the Premier League could set back his numbers.

In terms of his qualities there is plenty of room for encouragement, though. Strong in transition, with superb penalty box movement, technical strengths in build-up play and capable of scoring a variety of goals, there is no certainty that he wouldn’t be a hit in England.

But based on his track record the struggles he’s had at other clubs poses some concerns. Financially, as mentioned, the fee (which apparently could be lower) is almost too good to refuse a he enters the final two years of his contract, but there are some reservations whether his form is sustainable in the Premier League.

Equally, Arsenal’s issue right now are not at centre-forward. If the 25-year-old was still around next summer off the back of another glorious campaign then this conversation differs entirely. As it is though, if the bank is going to be broken on a striker this summer then they have to be truly special *cough* Isak *cough*.