Arsenal have entered pole position in the race for a “fantastic” player, and they are set to submit an opening offer ahead of the summer transfer window.
Gunners looking to strengthen forward line after FA Cup exit
Gabriel Jesus would’ve been hoping to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s Premier League and Champions League plans by putting in a top performance against Southampton in the FA Cup, but it wasn’t to be, with the Brazilian struggling in the shock 2-1 defeat.
The 29-year-old only lasted an hour at St. Mary’s in the quarter-final, firing both of the shots he took off target, prior to being replaced by Viktor Gyokeres, and the Sweden international scored less than ten minutes later to restore parity.
However, Shea Charles’ late winner ensured the Saints will be heading to Wembley for the semi-final later this month, with Arteta’s hopes of winning a treble being brought to an end.
The manager may be getting slightly concerned heading into the business end of the season, with his side also losing the EFL Cup final 2-0 against Manchester City, and following Jesus’ poor performance, the Gunners have set out to sign a new striker in the summer.
Arsenal planning move for “fantastic” centre-forward
According to reporter Christian Falk, Arsenal are set to strengthen their attacking options at the end of the campaign, and they are in pole position in the race for Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane.
Falk states the Gunners are set to submit an opening offer for the centre-forward, but a deal could be a costly operation, given that his agent believes he is worth around £87m.
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg suggests a fee of up to €70m (£61m) is more plausible, but that would still be a huge fee to pay for a player yet to really prove himself over an extended period.
Indeed, with the Leverkusen forward still just 19-years-old, he isn’t an automatic starter for the German side, but he has impressed when given the opportunity this season, chipping in with seven goals and eight assists in 40 matches across all competitions.
Scout Jacek Kulig lauded the Cameroonian for his “fantastic” form last month, and Arsenal could perhaps do with bringing in a new striker, with Jesus scoring just five goals in 22 matches since returning from injury.
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The Gunners are prepared to spend big this summer.