Arsenal could rival Spurs for £67m double swoop as Bukayo Saka injury drives need for 'absolute star'

Arsenal are said to be weighing up a £67 million double swoop for AFC Bournemouth duo Antoine Semenyo and Milos Kerkez next year and news of a potential Bukayo Saka injury could underline the importance of that potential deal.

The Gunners starboy picked up an injury to his right leg while on international duty for England on Thursday night. Saka was substituted after 51 minutes against Greece, having hit the turf moments after trying to stretch out the injury.

The winger was replaced by Chelsea man Noni Madueke and after the fixture Three Lions interim head coach Lee Carsley said: "He’s being assessed. Obviously, in the build-up to the first goal, you can see he felt something in his leg.”

Mikel Arteta targets Saka back-up

Arsenal will hope that should Saka require a period on the sidelines, it is nothing long term. However, the injury worry does highlight a potential squad position for investment over the next 12 months.

The Gunners have a plethora of options on the left flank with Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling but - while those players do boast versatility - Saka is the primary out-and-out option on the right wing. Caught Offside reports that Arsenal may look to add a secondary option in upcoming transfer windows with Semenyo a target.

The outlet claims that sources report of Gunners interest in the star, who has three goals and an assist for the Cherries so far this season. The 24-year-old moved to the Vitality Stadium from Bristol City in January 2023 and has gone on to score 12 goals for the club.

Arsenal interested in two AFC Bournemouth players

Speaking about the player in August, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said: "Bournemouth were suddenly the better team. And In Semenyo, at the right wing, he is an absolute star, I just think, and I don’t want to be selling Bournemouth’s players but you’ve got few days to that window, I think he cost £10m from Bristol City. What a great signing he was.

"He is worth a fortune. He is such an elegant, graceful, powerful, player. He is got everything, that young man."

Caught Offside add that Arsenal, who face competition from Tottenham Hotspur to recruit Semenyo, could look to convince Bournemouth to send two players to the Emirates Stadium. Defender Milos Kerkez is also named as a target with a joint €80 million price tag slapped on the duo, which is equivalent to around £67 million.