Arsenal are in pole position in the race to sign an “excellent” player and are set to make an opening offer ahead of the summer transfer window.
Gunners aim to strengthen front line after FA Cup defeat
Gabriel Jesus would have hoped to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s Premier League and Champions League plans with his best performance against Southampton in the FA Cup, but that didn’t happen as the Brazilian struggled in a shock 2-1 defeat.
The 29-year-old played just an hour in the quarter-final against St Mary’s, with both of his shots on target, before being replaced by Viktor Gökeres, with the Sweden international equalizing the score less than 10 minutes later.
But Shay Charles’ late winner ensured Saints will be in the semi-finals at Wembley later this month, ending Arteta’s hopes of a treble.
The manager may have some concerns towards the end of the season. The Gunners also lost 2-0 in the EFL Cup final against Manchester City, and Jesus’ poor performance has prompted the Gunners to look to sign a new striker in the summer.
Arsenal planning to sign ‘fantastic’ centre-forward
Arsenal are set to strengthen their attacking options in the final stages of the season, with the club in pole position in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Cofane, according to Christian Falk.
Falk says the Gunners plan to make an opening offer for the centre-forward, but a deal could be an expensive move given his agent believes he is worth around £87m.
Sky Sports’ correspondent Florian Plettenberg suggests a fee of up to €70m (about £61m) is plausible, but that would still be a huge fee to pay for a player who has yet to prove himself for so long.
In fact, the Leverkusen forward is only 19 years old and is not an automatic starter in the German team, but he has impressed when given the opportunity this season, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in 40 competitive games.
Scout Jacek Kulig hailed the Cameroonian’s “fantastic” form last month, with Jesus having scored just five goals in 22 games since returning from injury, and Arsenal could perhaps use a new striker.
Berta travels to ‘world-class’ city targeted by Arsenal, ‘delighted’ to join
The Gunners are prepared to spend big this summer.
