What Arsenal are feeling about signing £43m striker with 19 goals this term

It is no great secret that Arsenal are in the market for a new striker, and have been for quite some time now, with a reporter sharing the Gunners’ stance over signing a potential bargain forward in fantastic form right now.

Emergency striker Mikel Merino rescues Arsenal

Mikel Arteta was dealt a seismic blow with news last week that Kai Havertz has joined Gabriel Jesus in being out for the remainder of Arsenal’s campaign, prompting the Spaniard to get very creative in search of solutions.

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Raheem Sterling played as the frontman during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last Saturday, but it was his replacement off the bench, Mikel Merino, who proved the hero instead – grabbing a late brace to clinch a vital three points for the Premier League title hopefuls.

The Spaniard hardly expected to play at centre-forward when he put pen to paper on a move from Real Sociedad last summer, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

“It’s the first time that I’ve played as a striker,” said Merino on his goals against Leicester. “It’s a good day to score because I forgot to give my wife a Valentine’s Day present, so I think she’ll appreciate this more than a rose or some chocolates.”

It is unclear just how often Arteta will turn to Merino for this unexpected role, but interim sporting director Jason Ayto and his recruitment team are working to ensure that Arsenal won’t have to rely on such a wildcard emergency option next campaign.

Arsenal are targeting a new striker this summer, after failing with a low-ball bid to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in January (David Ornstein), and the Italian press have claimed that Fiorentina star Moise Kean is of interest to the Gunners.

The former Everton, PSG and Juventus forward joined La Viola permanently for just £11 million last year, with Kean’s exceptional 19-goal haul in all competitions potentially making him one of the bargains of the summer window.

Arsenal’s stance on signing Moise Kean from Fiorentina

TMW, among other outlets, have reported that Arsenal are monitoring Kean ahead of the next window.

Now, reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to GiveMeSport, has shared an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of Kean, stating that they would need to see more evidence of the Italy international’s proficiency before making a formal move.

“Kean has found a bit of a breakthrough season, having struggled for goals at Juventus, he had a good loan at PSG, but other than that, the vast majority of his career, he struggled to get into double figures,” said Jacobs.

“And although the Fiorentina numbers are very strong at the moment, I’m told Arsenal feel they would need to see a bit more evidence of back-to-back seasons of him being this prolific.”

If they do opt to move for the 24-year-old, it is rumoured that Kean’s contract includes a release clause of around £43 million for the summer.