Mikel Arteta and Arsenal may be ruing their decision not to bring in a striker in the January transfer window given the recent injury blow to Kai Havertz. Coinciding with Gabriel Jesus’ long-term injury, the Gunners are now left without a recognised striker.
Arsenal were linked with January transfer moves for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. But none of those mentioned would make the move to the Emirates.
Manchester United are the favourites to sign Gyokeres given the history between Ruben Amorim and the Swedish striker. Spanish outlet SPORT have reported this week that Barcelona could also look to sign the striker in the summer as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
The report also claims that the La Liga giants have added Isak to their transfer wishlist, though it’s unlikely Newcastle would be willing to budge on their £150million asking price and are still hopeful of agreeing a new contract with the in-form frontman. If Isak were to move to the Nou Camp, it would be a repeat of the transfer blow that saw Raphinha head to Barca, having been linked with the Gunners.
With Watkins turning 30-years-old next season, it remains to be seen if Arsenal will return with a fresh bid for the Villa frontman who has ten goals and five assists in 24 top flight appearances so far this season. In an ideal world, the Gunners would bring in a striker who is earlier on in his career.
With options up front dwindling, that leaves Arteta a clear transfer mission in the summer – signing a striker. Sesko at Leipzig is a clear option, with the Gunners have long tracked the 21-year-old forward, who could solve Arsenal’s striker woes.
