5 strikers Arsenal could sign to replace Gabriel Jesus
A new striker has long been one of Arsenal's top priorities this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to take the Gunners to the next level.
Concerns that Gabriel Jesus, who admits that scoring goals is not his forte, is good enough to lead a title-chasing team have led to reports that the Brazilian could be sold this summer.
The rise of Kai Havertz, whose best position is still a mystery, has reduced the need for a new goalscorer but Arsenal's squad is still crying out for a reliable goalscorer who can really lift the team.
Here are five players Arsenal could look at if they choose to replace Jesus this summer.
Few players have seen their stock rise as much in the 2023/24 season as Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee, who has been doing well in his self-proclaimed wonderkid status for the past few years.
The Dutchman left Bayern Munich in 2022 and has now established himself in front of goal. He has been impressed by Thiago Motta's prolific output, racking up goals but also adapting the type of build-up game that attracted Arteta when he moved to sign both Jesus and Havertz.
Bologna are unlikely to want a silly fee for 22-year-old Zirkzee, who in a summer full of big money for strikers, could end up being real money.
Inter struck gold when they acquired Marcus Thuram on a free transfer last summer. The France international has double figures in both goals and assists, standing out alongside talisman Lautaro Martinez.
Now, Inter have no desire to sell Thuram, but the Serie A champions are battling well-known financial problems that could see them forced to offload one of their top names this summer. Few players can generate the kind of profit that can be made by selling Thuram just 12 months after he joined on a free transfer.
Reports have even suggested that Inter director Piero Ausilio is a big fan of Jesus, so a swap deal could be on the cards if Arsenal play their cards right.
When a striker reaches 40 goals in one season in all competitions, teams like Arsenal take notice, and that's exactly what happened with Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swedish striker has tormented the Portuguese defense under Ruben Amorim and is a real must-move in the summer, but Arsenal need to decide how much they want to pay for their new striker.
Gyokeres' £86m release clause is steep – 90 min understand that the likes of Arsenal fear it may not cost money – but the Gunners have that kind of money to play with.
If Arsenal are going to spend big on the Swedish striker, they would prefer to throw their money at Newcastle United for Alexander Isak.
What you get from 24-year-old Isak is confidence in his ability to score goals in the Premier League. He already has more than 20 goals in all competitions this year in a Newcastle side that has fallen short of his expectations, so imagine what he could do against a more stable attacking team?
Newcastle have their own financial problems to deal with though 90 min you understand that they are ready to fight a real battle to keep Isak. However, if things don't go their way and Newcastle end up desperate, Arsenal could sneak in and do a deal.
Let's tackle this last suggestion and throw in a player whose style of play is similar to Havertz's – AC Milan's Charles De Ketelaere.
The 23-year-old striker, who plays as a midfielder, winger and centre-forward, struggled during his time at Milan but is enjoying an impressive campaign with Atalanta, playing for him at the top of the club's sheet.
Atalanta have an option to buy De Ketelaere permanently for around £20m but could jump at the chance to make a quick profit if Arsenal make the right kind of offer.
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