Arsenal fans do not want ‘false hope’ this summer, says insider

Arsenal fans do not want another false hope transfer saga like the Dusan Vlahovic situation back in January, says transfer insider Dean Jones…

THE LOWDOWN: STRIKER LINKS

After missing out on the former Fiorentina forward who signed for Juventus in the winter window, the Gunners have now been linked with a whole host of forwards in order to bolster their forward line for next season – including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus.

According to various reports, Arsenal are the outfit most interested in buying Osimhen and are also reportedly preparing a bid to seal a deal for Brazilian international Jesus.

The Citizen star’s agent Marcelo Pettinati recently told Fabrizio Romano that he has held talks with the Gunners over the Brazilian possibly moving to the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s need for a new No.9 is a huge one after watching Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang join Barcelona. It has left him with just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, who are now approaching the end of their contracts.

THE LATEST: WON’T WANT FALSE HOPE

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones has stated that the club must avoid a repeat of what happened with Vlahovic and actually land their main striker target this time around.

He said:

“Arsenal fans won’t want false hope at this stage. They don’t want another Vlahovic, where they’re hearing about Osimhen all summer and then it doesn’t happen.

“If they’re hearing about Richarlison or [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin or Alex Isak, week after week after week, then that player then needs to be delivered. There can be no more false hope. This has to be the real deal.”

THE VERDICT: MUST MOVE FAST

Indeed, the north London outfit cannot afford a long-running transfer saga for any of their striker targets this summer.

It’s evidently clear Arteta’s squad requires a consistent and quality striker to bolster their attacking options ahead of next season, especially considering that two of their current options in Lacazette and Nketiah are set to depart the Emirates after their contracts end in June.

Both Jesus and Osimhen represent quality attacking forwards who can instantly come into the Gunners’ squad this summer and immediately improve and address their goalscoring issues.

Out of the two, the 54-time Brazilian international seems the most likely and attainable considering his current market value and availability. Also, he has plenty of Premier League experience underneath his belt, while his versatility arguably makes him a more attractive proposition, too.

Ultimately, Arsenal fans would probably take another striker alongside him, especially given the situation the club finds itself in. If the hierarchy at the north London outfit are willing to splash the cash this summer, then acquiring a second forward should also be an immediate priority.

AND in other news, Newcastle United hold talks with “amazing” 25-year-old Arsenal target…