Injury-hit Arsenal have been linked with big name strikers throughout the January transfer window and a new target has emerged with a hefty price tag, according to reports.
The long-term injuries to Mikel Arteta's charges have perhaps been a significant factor in their ambitions to win the Premier League, as absences to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus have left the Gunners light in the frontline.
Rumours of a search for a striker began during the off-season, when the likes of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Newcastle United's Alexander Isak were touted as targets the club were keen to bring in. Ultimately, neither made the move and each stayed at their respective clubs, with the Slovenian even inking an extension to stay at the Red Bull Arena until 2029.
The North Londoners began their 2024/25 campaign without any additions up top, instead focusing on investing in the midfield and defensive areas. However, the aforementioned injuries throughout the season have made the need to sign a striker even more urgent.
Arteta recently stated that the club are actively looking for a forward as a consequence, and with only days left in the transfer window for the record FA Cup winners to sign a striker, more names have been linked with the English giants.
Despite Sesko signing an extension recently, it seems that Arsenal still retain an interest in the 21-year-old. According to ESPN, Leipzig are likely to sell the pacey attacker but only in the off-season for around €75 million (R1.4 billion), as they are reluctant to part ways with him now.
The club's likeliest acquisition is now believed to be Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel. According to TZ, it is extremely unlikely that the Frenchman will finish the season with the Bavarian giants due to a lack of game time. Reports suggest that Tel would be cost at least €47 million (R930 million) to sign.
Arsenal, along with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, are all understood to be interested in the Frenchman, but The Independent has stated that Arteta's side stand a good chance of being his preference because there is a greater chance of playing due to the various knocks.
The same report states that a potential stumbling block for the Premier League outfit will likely be whether the Bavarian giants are willing to include an option to buy.
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