Arsenal could transform their season with one transfer following their FA Cup heartbreak defeat to Manchester United and it could happen in the final weeks of the January window, judging from the latest reports.
It has been a difficult two weeks or so for Mikel Arteta’s side who now find themselves down by a two-goal deficit in their EFL Cup semi-final with Newcastle United as well as drawing with Brighton and losing out to Man United over the weekend.
With the January transfer window in full swing, recent shortcomings on the pitch have led to more drastic transfer rumours – especially when it comes to attack. Reports have only been intensified since after striker Gabriel Jesus suffered an injury during the weekend’s action that looks set to rule him out for the foreseeable future.
With 32 goals and six assists in 30 games, he is seen as one potential solution to Arsenal’s attacking issues and a reputable, clinical forward to replace the likes of Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Gyokeres wouldn’t be available until the summer, leaving Arsenal scrambling around for a solution to their striker issues.
Rivals Man United supposedly do not have the funds to reunite their manager Ruben Amorim with his former player unless they manage to sell one of their attackers, such as Joshua Zirkzee which is unlikely at the current time.
A fee lying somewhere in the region of €60m (£49.8m, $62.2m) to €70m (£58m, $72.5m) was cited – with £80m being quoted in the latest Independent release. If he remains at the club until summer then Arsenal face a difficult end to the season and an uncertainty over whether they could acquire his signature.
Even if they have to wait until the summer to approach such a deal, there may be more attractive options on the table for the blossoming forward, who has been linked with moves to elite clubs all over Europe. Arsenal finishing without a trophy would leave them without true bargaining power, despite the stature of the club.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has also been a name floated; the 21-year-old stunned at the weekend with a long-range striker against Werder Bremen which included a brilliant strike from 25 metres which had a speed of 126km/h. He too has been eyed by multiple elite clubs around Europe.
