Arsenal hold talks to sign 53 career goal “monster” for free

Arsenal have held talks to sign a high-profile “monster” in a free transfer for manager Mikel Arteta, according to one reliable reporter.

Arteta “disappointed” after Arsenal failed to make a signing in January

The Gunners’ failure to bring in a new face during the January transfer window has come back to haunt them, with a number of injuries in attack leaving Arsenal without a recognised striker.

Kai Havertz’s hamstring injury during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai has left him on the sidelines alongside Gabriel Jesus, leaving Arteta to use Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre-forward.

Talking after the January transfer window, Arteta said: “We had a clear intention which is always there is a window open to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it.

“We haven’t achieved it so we are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring ­ certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that and I think we will.”

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Ian Wright says £6m a year star Arteta desperately wants may reject Arsenal

According to Arsenal’s former striker, they could be set to miss out on their star signing.

The summer can’t come soon enough for the Gunners to bolster their squad, with a new attacker surely at the top of the Emirates wishlist.

However, as well as a striker, a versatile midfielder is also of interest, with Arsenal recently making concrete moves to secure his services.

Arsenal hold talks to sign Joshua Kimmich

According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal have now held talks to sign Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich, who is out of contract at the Allianz Arena at the end of the season.

The Gunners have a concrete interest in the Germany international, who could end up replacing Jorginho, however, Kimmich has more than one offer from abroad.

“For several days, Arsenal FC have been one of the clubs with a concrete interest in Joshua Kimmich and have held talks.

“Gunners would like to sign him on a free transfer as a possible replacement for Jorginho. Kimmich now has received two written offers from abroad. One from the Premier League. That’s the main reason why he is hesitating to sign a new deal with Bayern at least until 2028 and a salary of €20-22m gross/year.

“Kimmich has informed Bayern about the offers. But from Kimmich’s camp, it is said that discussions with Eberl/Freund are still ongoing. For Kimmich an agreement on a new contract remains possible and Bayern are ready to negotiate again, but now only willing to pay the same amount or less.”

Although Kimmich isn’t the striker Arsenal desperately need, he could still be an extremely shrewd signing on a free transfer. Dubbed a “monster” when linked with Liverpool, Kimmich can play as a midfielder, full-back or as a makeshift centre-back if required.

He has 53 career goals under his belt, and his versatility was praised by Jose Mourinho, who even believes Kimmich could play as a No. 10.

“I see him as a top right-back, left-back, centre-back, No.6, No.8, No.10. He has the qualities to be anything! I think he looks to me, very intelligent related to football, very intelligent, understands the moments of the games and understands the difference between positions and understands what he has to do here and what he has to do there. I think he’s phenomenal, an absolutely phenomenal player.”