Arsenal are reportedly linked with a move for Youssef En-Nesyri as Mikel Arteta ponders signing a striker in the January transfer window.
ESPN’s transfer special has pointed towards Arsenal’s interest in Sevilla 24-year-old striker Youssef En-Nesyri. Mikel Arteta is considering signing the Moroccan international in the January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta has got his blueprint in place for Arsenal’s long-term future. After a fruitful summer of bringing in a specific set of players all aged 23 or under, the Gunners’ manager has outlined a fresh set of ideas for the club, with Arsenal moving away from signing ageing players as they have done in recent years.
This Arsenal side looks defensively strong and particularly solid in midfield, but they have to address their woes in the frontline. The ongoing issue with former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could force the striker to leave in January, while the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah remain uncertain.
If conditions were ideal, Arteta was likely planning to revamp the attacking line next summer, but he could accelerate those plans with events unfolding faster than expected. Arsenal have made enquiries for several high-profile strikers within the Premier League and abroad in recent weeks.
For instance, Arsenal are keen on signing Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, even though the Serb has second thoughts about joining them. Vlahovic is one of the options on the table, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lille’s Jonathan David also on their radar.
Calvert-Lewin and David could be options in the summer, as their clubs will be reluctant to part ways with them in January. Youssef En-Nesyri is another name that gets the mention. After being previously linked with the Sevilla centre-forward, the stories regarding the Moroccan had gone cold.
However, Arteta might have shortlisted him for a transfer, and prising the 24-year-old away from the La Liga club is an option. On the back of a wonderful 2020/21 season, En-Nesyri featured on the radars of multiple Premier League clubs, including Arsenal.
However, despite his evident quality, as highlighted by former striker Kevin Campbell, Arteta might take time to ponder over a move despite the stories linking the striker with a switch. The Moroccan international certainly has qualities that fit the manager’s mould at Arsenal, although there are more consistent forwards in the market than him.
However, the January transfer window will be exciting for Arsenal fans, especially if Aubameyang decides to quit prematurely next month. In that case, Arteta will have a difficult decision on his hands to sign a top draw striker, which, if he does not, could risk derailing their season with a top-four place at stake.
