Arsenal: 5 striker transfer targets eyed to replace Lacazette

As domestic action takes a break from its usual hustle and bustle, the downtime has provided fresh transfer speculation to fill the void. Despite Arsenal undergoing a huge turnover of players in the recent window, there is more to come.

The fruits of the club’s labour are starting to develop. Signing six players widely considered as backup options, only Nuno Tavares can be considered as such due to the high usage of the other five.

Albert Sambi Lokonga was also partly considered as such but due to injuries to Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka has seen plenty of playing time, and will continue to do so. The rest have also seen minutes aplenty, apart from at striker, where there was no summer movement.

Centre-forward remains an area of the squad that is in need of restructuring. It couldn’t be seen to over the previous window due to an inability to move on both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, two players who look destined to depart once the season concludes.

Arsenal have been linked with 5 striker transfer targets in the rumour mill to replace Alexandre Lacazette in Mikel Arteta’s squad

There is scope for one of the two to leave in January. It would be a surprise due to interested parties knowing they can just sit on their hands for six more months and scoop the pair up without a transfer fee, although nothing is out of the question come the winter.

Whatever transpires, Mikel Arteta will be seeking a new centre-forward over the coming eight months to prepare for their departures, also keeping in mind that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is turning 33 years of age come next term.

Links were prevalent throughout the summer with the names of Lautaro Martinez and Tammy Abraham key among them. Sadly for the manager, neither look viable with the former set to pen a new Inter contract and the latter since moving to Roma.

Who else gets the nod in Arsenal’s list? Well, as per the rumour mill there have been a number of names listed, some of whom don’t sound especially realistic and others that can be marked down as good ol’ classic speculation. Don’t shoot the messenger, but here are five doing the rounds.

1. Youssef En Nesyri – Sevilla

Age: 24
Rumoured fee: £38m
Contract expiry: 2025

There are links to Youssef En-Nesyri that have been around since back when the window remained open, as he was marked down as one of the key targets to replace Lacazette before the window slammed shut.

Rumours swirled of Arsenal offering the Frenchman in a form of player plus cash deal for the Morocco international. No deal materialised. Obviously.

As per local Sevilla outlet La Colina de Nervion, Arsenal have had to abandon their swap hopes for rather obvious reasons. Looking at revisiting in January, there is no chance of Sevilla considering such a move with Lacazette able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs come the winter. That leaves January out of the question.

The interest still remains. For the striker, he wants to be playing Champions League football which will impact his decision, so that’s something of a setback, it’s fair to say.

As for the player, he operates as a central striker with the possibility of interchanging on either wing. With great athleticism and pace he runs the channels aggressively, recording a high volume of high xG shots in the box. That 18-year area is where he is most lethal.

Physically strong he’s also very hard to win the ball from, which is aided by his 6’2″ frame. That is put to good use as he’s superb in the air, both in defensive and attacking situations. Is a decent enough passer of the ball but rarely uses his distribution much in Sevilla’s style.

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