Signing strikers has become Arsene Wenger’s shortcoming in recent seasons, and with no success so far this transfer window, it is the same old Arsenal story. Sorry Gunners fans.
Wenger has brought in midfielder Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach, defender Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers and most recently Nigerian teenager and Under-17 World Cup sensation Kelechi Nwakali, but it is Arsenal’s strike force that desperately needs improvement if they are to sustain a title challenge this season.
Here are five strikers they have missed out on.
Jamie Vardy
The Leicester City man was being touted as the answer to Arsenal’s striking woes before Euro 2016, but talks stalled during the competition and Vardy eventually opted against a move to the Emirates.
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Gonzalo Higuain
He had been on Arsenal’s radar for quite some time, but Arsene Wenger was never going to match the monumental €90 million that Juventus paid for the Argentinian’s services. The fee was the third-highest ever paid and the five-year deal will see the 28-year-old earn €7.5 million a season.
Romelu Lukaku
There was talk that Arsenal were in the market to sign the Belgian, but Chelsea appear the favourites to steal the striker away from Everton, if they cannot keep him. Recent reports suggest the Blues will offer the Toffees two players in exchange for Lukaku.
Mauro Icardi
According to reports, the Argentinian’s agent flew to London on the weekend to discuss a possible transfer just 24 hours after Icardi seemed to reaffirm his love for Inter Milan on Twitter. No news has surfaced since then so it appears the Gunners have missed out.
And they may have missed out on Alexandre Lacazette
He has been the most heavily linked striker of all, but French club Olympique Lyonnais rejected Arsenal’s first offer of £29.3 million and Wenger seemed reluctant to go higher.
Lacazette’s recent hip injury, which he sustained in OL’s 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Trophee des Champions on Sunday, has cast serious doubt on a move to the Emirates.
Arsenal may look elsewhere, with rumours suggesting a swoop for one of either James Rodriguez or Isco from Real Madrid.
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