The summer transfer window has been open for nearly an month now. There has been a lot of activity in this window regarding the arrival of new players, coaches or board members. The Euros and Copa America are currently ongoing and fours teams are left in each tournament. The tournaments have been proving very important for the clubs to monitor the players and sign top talents. A lot of Premier League have been seen going after striker position as the every club involved want to score more goals.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are looking forward to sign a high quality striker. United want to pair the new striker with club’s top scorer in 2023/24 season Rasmus Hojlund due to the Danish striker not getting support from other strikers. Arsenal are reported to be parting ways with their exisiting strikers to make place for new one. Nottingham Forest had to undergo relegation battle in 2023/24 season and hence want to improve the club by signing a striker who is able to score on consistent basis.
Two of the most successful Premier League clubs in the race for striker
Manchester United and Arsenal were both interested in Joshua Zirkzee. Zirkzee who made his international debut for Netherlands caught the eyes of English giants in 2023/24 season. The 23 year old striker scored 12 goals along with providing 7 assists for Bologna. In addition, 11 of those goals and 4 of those assists came in Serie A which helped Bologna achieve a spot in Champions League for the first time in club’s history.
Arsenal were interested in signing Zirkzee after failing to sign Benjamin Sesko. However, this move also seems to fail as the Dutch striker wants to join Manchester United. United have reported to have reach an agreement on personal basis with the player according to CaughtOffside. The Red Devils are reported to trigger the £34 million release clause in Zirkzee’s current contract. The 23 year old striker will arrive at Old Trafford along with his international teammate Matthijs De Ligt.
Anthony Martial is set to leave United as a free agent. The Frenchman made 19 appearances for Red Devils this term. However he was only able to find the back of the net 2 times which resulted in increasing the pressure on Hojlund. Hence the arrival of Zirkzee, could relieve some of the pressure on Hojlund and the duo can help the club to move forward.
Other options for Arsenal
Arsenal missed on two strikers this transfer window. The club tried to sign Benjamin Sesko last month. However the Slovenian international opted to stay with Leipzig and signed a contract extension with the German club. Sesko’s new contract makes him RB Leipzig player until 2029. Later, the Gunners turned their attention to Zirkzee which also is on the verge of failing. However Mikel Arteta has not given up and is desperately looking to sign a striker.
The Premier League runner ups maybe seen going after Newcastle United’s striker. However the demanded price by the Magpies may push the Gunners back. To come up with the price, Arsenal need to raise their funds and sell some of the existing stars. Mikel Arteta is reported to sell both of his primary strikers after their poor performance in 2023/24 season. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both failed to remain consistent and eventually lost their starting position to Kai Havertz. Havertz accepted the opportunity and proved very crucial for Mikel Arteta. The German international achieved 21 goal involvements in his first season at Arsenal.
Nottingham Forest linked with Kelechi Iheanacho
Nottingham Forest experienced a very poor season as they found the back of the net only 49 times in the league throught the season. As a result, Forest were into the relegation battle. Fortunately, the Reds were able to finish on 17th place securing their place in Premier League for the 2024/25 season. However, the club will hope not to repeat this and hence are in hunt for the striker.
Nottingham are looking forward to sign Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer. The 27 year old striker’s contract with Leicester recently expired. Iheanacho recently helped Leicester earn promotion back in the Premier League. Except Nottingham, Aston Villa are interested in signing the Nigerian international.
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