As the Premier League title continues to slip away, Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign an attacking solution who’s valued at just £42m ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal transfer news
The Gunners began the season with attacking concerns and those concerns have only increased ever since following injuries to Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz. Left to deploy shock auxiliary striker Mikel Merino from the start against West Ham United last weekend, Arsenal soon paid the price and suffered yet another dent in their title ambitions.
Mikel Arteta has remained as defiant as ever, however, and insisted that he will not give up on Premier League glory until it is mathematically impossible for his side this season.
Arsenal’s need for a fresh goalscorer has arguably never been so desperate, with their summer priority clearer than ever. Whether that will see them land top target Alexander Isak remains to be seen, however.
The Newcastle United star could cost a hefty fee – £150m even by some reports – and the Gunners could yet turn towards a far cheaper alternative if the Magpies remain stubborn in their stance this summer.
Related
Better than Odegaard: Arsenal must rue selling Ballon d’Or nominee for £21m
The incredible former Arsenal star has become a Ballon d’Or nominee after exiting the Emirates Stadium.
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Samu Aghehowa from Porto, who value their forward at just €50m (£42m) this summer. The Gunners aren’t the only Premier League side in the race, however, with Chelsea and Aston Villa also battling to secure his signature.
Given that Aghehowa joined Porto from Atletico Madrid for just £12.7m last summer, the Portuguese side have an instant chance to profit this summer and, in doing so, hand Arsenal the solution they so desperately need within their frontline.
“Prolific” Samu would be instant upgrade on Havertz
Whilst Havertz lacks the physicality to impose himself in big games at times on top of the natural goalscoring instinct, Aghehowa ticks all of the above. A natural goalscorer who has proven to be a powerhouse at Porto this season, the 20-year-old has already found the back of the net 19 times in all competitions, which is more than Havertz and just two less than Isak has managed.
Previously dubbed “prolific” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, that £42m price-tag looks like an absolute bargain given Aghehowa’s growing prowess in front of goal at Porto.
The fact that the forward is just 20 years old shouldn’t go amiss, either. By signing Porto’s star man, Arsenal would be welcoming a permanent solution to their attacking problems and not just a short-term goalscorer.
A player destined for the top, Arsenal must take advantage of Aghehowa’s £42m valuation if they fail to lure Newcastle into selling Isak this summer.