Arsenal ‘agree’ bargain deal as Spurs join race for key Gunners striker target

The European summer transfer market is beginning to heat up and the Gunners may need to be patient to land top targets.

Whatever happens on Matchday 38 of the 2021/22 Premier League season, the Arsenal squad is in need of strengthening.

Arguably not bringing in another forward, and allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join Barcelona without a replacement, was a key point in the Gunners’ season.

While the north London side have looked okay defensively this year, despite shipping eight more goals than the last campaign as things stand, certainly more goals are needed from the forwards, with Eddie Nketiah, Alexandre Lacazette and Aubameyang all hitting four goals apiece.

There have been excellent contributions from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith-Rowe but Mikel Arteta needs some genuine firepower to push on next season.

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This week it has been revealed that other Premier League sides will contest many of the same transfer targets this summer, such as Tottenham Hotspur being reportedly interested in Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak, who was heavily linked with Arsenal last January.

The Swedish striker has not had the best of campaigns himself, netting just six times in the league, but he may remain of interest to Arteta depending what happens with key targets such as Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus. And that there is the crux: the 25-year-old Brazilian is sure to be on the short lists of many clubs.

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and perhaps even Liverpool, depending what happens with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, will be fishing for forwards this summer too.

Should Arsenal fail to grab Champions League football then the club may have to remain patient to grab the men the club want, in the face of competition from elsewhere who may be able to offer more money and football in Europe’s elite level competition.

Alternatively, moving fast in the market this summer may also catch some teams unaware and see deals completed before anyone else can intercept.

Technical director Edu has his work cut out, as he looks to assemble a squad that can do even better and continue the good progress seen at the Emirates over the last year.

And to that end, at least there is good immediate news that things are in progress already: Arsenal are set to sign Sao Paulo winger Marquinhos, who travelled to London on Thursday to undergo a medical with Mikel Arteta’s side, as reported by Goal. A good start, but much more is needed.