Arsenal: 5 striker transfer targets after Dusan Vlahovic blow

3. Patrick Schick – Bayer Leverkusen

Age: 26
Contract expiry: 2025
Rumoured fee: £50m

Who fancies a goal machine?

Amid all the talk of false nine this and link up play that, someone who knows where the back of the net is and can stick it in there would be most welcome. Patrik Schick is a man on fire this season.

Impressing onlookers with his performances at Euro 2020, the Czech striker has carried that over into the Bundesliga where he’s notched 18 goals in 17 outings for Bayer Leverkusen. In terms of a highlight reel, it’s incredibly enjoyable.

The 6’3″ man boasts some delightful finishing techniques whether inside the box, outside of it or with his head, as that tall frame of his is a lethal weapon for wide deliveries or if being used as a target man out-ball. He wins over half of his aerials. That’s superb.

Outscoring his xG rather considerably – 18 goals from 12.8 – does hint towards this being a slight purple patch, but this is a player in the form of his life with his best years happening right now having just turned 26 years old in January. The confidence is coursing through his veins at the minute. Every shot is a save or a goal.

Far from just hogging the penalty box, Schick does drift into deep positions to provide hold up play to get his team up the pitch, even if his passing lacks crispness. It’s indicative of Bayer’s style, but he does not press off the ball. At all.

But, again, it depends what Arsenal want. If they want goals then it’s impossible not to notice the man ripping up German football.

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