Ian Wright believes Arsenal need a ‘killer’ up front to get them back on track this season. The Gunners are in dire straits having only won one of their last seven games in all competitions. During the same period, the north Londoners have scored just five times. There are serious concerns about Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah’s form in front of goal prompting Wright to demand his former club signs a proven goalscorer in January. Here, Express Sport takes a look at four realistic options that fit that bill.
Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s shortlist but a deal appears to be more realistic for the summer at this stage. Brentford have set a £100million price tag for their star striker which would be difficult for Arsenal to stomach midway through the season due to FFP.
If the Gunners are to sign Toney or a player of the same ilk this month then they will need to recoup some funds through outgoings. There have also been multiple reports suggesting that Toney feels indebted to his club for sticking by him during his betting ban while Brentford don’t want to let him go just yet.
Therefore, it is more likely he will see out the 2023/2024 campaign at the Gtech Community Stadium unless Arsenal can put up a bid that will make the Bees reconsider their stance.
Serhou Guirassy
Serhou Guirassy would be the simplest piece of business to complete in January due to the exceedingly low £15m release clause in his Stuttgart contract. The Guinean international has been in sensational form this, scoring 17 goals in 14 Bundesliga games and is reportedly keen on a big move elsewhere.
Arsenal has been mooted as a potential destination for the 27-year-old although the Gunners would have to do without him for a few weeks while he represents his national team at the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.
Dominic Solanke
Besides Toney, the other Premier League striker being floated around in the same breath is Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke. The one-cap England international is among the top scorers in England’s top flight this season with 12 goals from 19 games. Bournemouth aren’t keen on selling him midway through the season but the Sun claims a £60m bid would be enough to change their minds.
Dusan Vlahovic
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Dusan Vlahovic for the past three seasons to no avail. They came close to enticing him to the Emirates before he joined Juventus in 2022 and are once again said to be monitoring his situation. However, reports in Italy claim Vlahovic is happy at the Allianz Stadium and wants to stay put.
