JUST IN: Arteta ready to slap HUGE figure in BID of West Ham star man as Player aim for new green Pasture other than London Stadium.
Arsenal missed out on signing a proven goal-scorer in the last summer transfer window, and they’re already feeling the impact of that decision. The Gunners currently sit fifth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by seven points.
Right winger Bukayo Saka has been the only consistent scoring threat for Arsenal, and his recent injury has left the attack lacking. While Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are talented, neither is a true center-forward.
On the left wing, performances have been inconsistent. Gabriel Martinelli has yet to rediscover his form from the 2022/23 season, and Leandro Trossard appears more suited to a utility backup role.
Arsenal urgently need a top striker, such as Viktor Gyokeres, who could provide a reliable 20-goal-a-season threat. They’re also exploring options for the left wing, having made only a speculative move for veteran Raheem Sterling in the summer of 2024.
According to the Daily Mirror’s Clive Hetherington and Daniel Orme, Arsenal are considering a substantial £90 million bid to tempt West Ham’s forward Mohammed Kudus to join them at the Emirates Stadium.
Reportedly, Arsenal’s plan is to replace Trossard with Kudus, with Saudi Arabian clubs showing interest in the Belgian winger. Selling Trossard could allow Arsenal to offset a large part of Kudus’s fee, given the high demand for experienced players in the Saudi Pro League.
However, it’s hard to imagine West Ham agreeing to part with Kudus. He is arguably their best player and most dynamic attacker, especially when considering the talents of Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen, one of the league’s standout forwards.
While West Ham have struggled this season, their roster suggests they could climb the table with the right managerial direction, perhaps beyond Julen Lopetegui.
From Arsenal’s viewpoint, Kudus is the type of player they need, though he’s stronger in central roles than on the left, and he might lack the goal-scoring record Arsenal need up front.
Pairing Kudus with Gyokeres, for instance, would be an ideal solution. Though such a double move would cost over 150 million euros, it could be a worthwhile investment for Arsenal, who must capitalize on this period to secure meaningful silverware.