Arsenal: 3 strikers linked ahead of transfer deadline

This area of the squad was considered locked down in terms of personnel with other departments correctly deemed of a higher priority. Oh how times change. With the new Premier League season fast approaching, suddenly the striker situation at Arsenal isn’t so clear cut.

With four centre-forwards on the books as the meeting with Brentford on Friday looms, work is underway to trim down that number by half.

Watching Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggle once more having been thrust out onto the left wing and seeing Alexandre Lacazette continue to drop deep and link play only to leave the penalty box deserted as Kieran Tierney prepares a whipped cross is, it’s fair to say, less than inspiring.

Behind those two are Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun, very much the present and the future of Arsenal.

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Arsenal: 3 strikers linked with Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of transfer deadline as centre-forward concerns with Lacazette and Nketiah remain

Nketiah is only the present until he is sold, a move being pushed by Arsenal after the 21-year-old rejected a new contract. With less than a year left on his deal it would be disastrous not to secure a sale. His injury hasn’t helped any exit be sped up, although reports of interest from Brighton is reassuring.

Balogun has a huge future in store but with two No. 9’s ahead of him in the pecking order, if Lacazette isn’t sold, which grows worryingly likely despite the usual late window flurry, then a loan with regular minutes would surely suit best.

Despite still having four on the books, the rumours have persisted this summer with Mikel Arteta aiming to sound out the man to lead the line in the mid-term. Possibly even sooner. Lacazette has a year left maximum; the way Aubameyang is looking suggests it could also be just a year; Balogun is only 20 and inexperienced; and Nketiah will be moved on.

Gabriel Martinelli is someone who provides an option in that role, too. But should Arsenal succeed in shifting Lacazette and Nketiah it’s become apparent another striker will be brought in this summer. A few have been mentioned and, even in the last few days, three appear to be top of the wishlist.

1. Lautaro Martinez – Inter

The English media and those of a north London affiliation were sent into a frenzy on Sunday in the build-up to Tottenham vs Arsenal, with numerous outlets reporting that Spurs had a £60m+ offer accepted by Inter for Lautaro Martinez.

Given how strongly linked the Gunners were, it felt like a huge kick in the teeth.

Then, not long after, the Italian press came storming in with their side of the story, all of which pooh-poohed everything up until that point in stating that Inter will not sell now Romelu Lukaku has gone (Fabrizio Romano), and certainly won’t do so for less than €90m.

Anyone getting any Euro 2020 final flashbacks?

That didn’t stop other claims elsewhere that Arsenal remain interested, but they can firmly be put to bed now with all of the latest developments.

The Argentine’s agent, Alejandro Camano, has now spoken out to put an end to what were already faint hopes, stating:

"“Lautaro is an Inter player and is happy in Italy. The renewal? Lautaro is from Inter, he will never enter into conflict with the club. Never, this is reality,” he told FCInter1908. “Lautaro Martinez is happy at Inter and in Italy. His decision is to stay. The relationship with Inter is perfect. Lautaro Martinez is calm. Yes, it is true that there were offers, but today he is fine and we will sit down to talk about the future.”"

With that one put to bed, the other two names mentioned include one who grows ever the more likely.

2. Dusan Vlahovic – Fiorentina

It’s hard to ignore Dusan Vlahovic, and that’s not because he stands at over 6’2″, more the fact that he netted 21 goals in 37 Serie A outings last season at the tender age of 21.

What is also worth noting is that his club, Fiorentina, are desperately poor. They finished seven points off of relegation and won only nine matches all last season.

The Serbian striker is someone who Arsenal were linked with back in March, and at the time it was noted that he is ‘the right profile‘ the club should be targeting. Once again he’s been linked, this time with the more reliable Gianluca Di Marzio.

Interest in the forward also comes in the form of Atletico Madrid and Tottenham, although the latter see the 21-year-old as a Harry Kane replacement, not a partner. A move will cost the buying club heavily with La Viola said to be holding out for €60m (£50m), although with two years left on his deal and Fiorentina, like all clubs, feeling the pinch, there could be some wiggle room.

Vlahovic is a striker who encapsulates many of the traits Arsenal require in a striker: his all-round game is refined with the dashes of sheer centre-forward brutality, as he links play but boasts an array of finishing techniques with his left foot that make him a penalty box predator.

Lacking a big, aerially threatening and bruising No. 9 with commanding physical presence, Arsenal are no longer a side that the opposition fear. The forward line, for all its experience, doesn’t cause defenders to tremble. Vlahovic would bring that.

Being only 21 and with only one season of top level mastery behind him, the fee in question also makes the Serbian international a risky purchase. Boasting all the tools to be a star (and he will be) Arsenal already have one Balogun on their books to develop, and the need for a more established Premier League ready option is largely why the next link won’t die down.

3. Tammy Abraham – Chelsea

Arsenal’s interest in Tammy Abraham is well documented. Already a peripheral figure in west London following Thomas Tuchel’s appointment, nothing screams summer departure more than adding £100m worth of Lukaku into the equation.

Having not made matchday squads, Abraham might not even have a spot in the training ground dressing room at this rate.

Due to the profile of player Arteta is seeking this window, it comes as no surprise that the boyhood Arsenal supporter is on the club’s radar. Throw in the usual ex-Chelsea tag and it becomes clear as day. Ha..

As per any striker purchase this summer, all depends on shifting Lacazette and Nketiah. The former is more important than the latter. Outlets across the UK have noted the interest in Abraham and Sky Italia’s Di Marzio adds that Roma have now entered the conversation.

Atalanta were willing to make the 23-year-old their record ever transfer but are no longer in the race partly, it’s believed, because of Abraham wanting to remain in the Premier League. Roma, who refused to budge on their Granit Xhaka valuation, would surely suffer the same fate even with Edin Dzeko departing for Inter.

Any deal for Abraham is said to cost in the region of £35-£40m, a move that Arsenal have explored with the possibility of being an initial loan move with an obligation to buy. If that is signed off on, then one potential plan of Arteta’s could be to have Abraham and Balogun as the two centre-forward options in a year’s time, with Lacazette and maybe Aubameyang gone.

In all honesty, who knows. It’s clear a striker is on the agenda but nothing will happen until Lacazette is sold. There is still plenty of time for that to take place but, as it is, nothing appears to be brewing out in the open.