Arsenal will look to add a top striker to their artillery this summer, with sporting director Edu reportedly compiling a 10-man shortlist.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu’s catalogue of hitmen includes Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak, and Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP’s goal-a-game talisman.
Arsenal has been prolific this season without a consistent recognized striker, scoring a Premier League-best 70 goals so far.
Kai Havertz has often operated as a false nine when Gabriel Jesus has been injured and, despite struggling at first, he has started to thrive in the role.
However, the Gunners will revert to a typical number nine system as of next season and are narrowing down their search.
Ivan Toney and Alexander Isak are the most recognised names in England because of their Premier League experience.
Brentford’s golden boy has scored four goals in 10 games since returning from his betting ban and notched 21 in all competitions last season. However, the Bees have reportedly slapped a £100million price tag on their prized asset.
Meanwhile, Isak has 16 goals in all competitions for Newcastle and has retained his form despite persistent injury niggles.
Sporting are desperate to keep hold of Gyokeres, who they signed for a club-record £20m in the summer.
He has fired them to the top of the Portuguese league, has 36 goals in 39 games in all competitions, and is regarded so highly that they reportedly turned down a £73m bid from Chelsea for him in January.
The fourth giant name is that of Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s bright light and the eighth-best player in the world according to the 2023 Ballon d’Or list.
After firing them to a first Scudetto in 33 years last season with 26 Serie A goals, he was the talk of Europe, and Napoli’s cranky owner Aurelio De Laurentiis reportedly demanded £150m for him in the summer.
His star has dimmed somewhat this campaign, as he has 13 goals in all competitions compared to 31 last time out. Regardless, he is still one of Europe’s most desired men.
Outside this group – arguably the top four names – are a group of highly coveted emerging talents aged between 20 and 24.
RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda has previously been outlined as a target for Manchester United and has been building his reputation for a few years.
Twenty-three goals this term comes after 21 for Lens last term and 24 for Vitesse the year before.
He is a rising star for Domenico Tedesco’s new-look Belgium and scored twice against Manchester City earlier this season.
His Leipzig team-mate Benjamin Sesko also makes Edu’s list, with 11 goals to show for his efforts this season. Aged 20, he is also the youngest.
Arsenal fans will be familiar with Porto’s Evanilson, who played against them in the last 16 of the Champions League. He has 22 goals this season and six assists.
Brian Brobbey is the latest to emerge from Ajax’s famed production line and has really made his mark this campaign, scoring 20 goals, even while the team has been lacklustre as a whole.
There’s a more prolific target in the Netherlands, though – Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez. The Mexican has busted the net a whopping 24 times this season and celebrated a hat-trick against Brobbey’s Ajax in September.
The final name to mention is Victor Boniface. The player has been at the coal face of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen revolution and hasn’t tasted defeat this season.
He has managed 16 goals this season and nine assists. However, he has not played since December due to a groin injury.
In total, that’s 185 goals Edu is looking at. Dig into your coffers and take your pick.
One wonders what the future holds for Eddie Nketiah, with his humble offering of six strikes in 33 outings.