Despite signing Spaniard Lucas Perez, Arsenal are still looking for another striker to add to their ranks. The Gunners have already sent scouts to watch the Sassuolo striker thrice this season.
Gregoire Defrel has been grabbing headlines of late after scoring in four consecutive matches in the Serie A for Sassuolo, including the winner against Udinese on Sunday. It was reported last week that Liverpool were scouting the Frenchman, and now one of their Premier League rivals have also registered an interest in him. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has sent scouts to watch the 25-year-old play for Sassuolo three times this season, according to the Daily Mail.
Wenger has been playing winger Alexis Sanchez as a striker, a move which has paid off so far. New signing Lucas Perez has not exactly set the stage on fire in his few appearances for the Gunners so far, while 29-year-old French striker Olivier Giroud has come under some severe criticism for his poor finishing.
Defrel could be a bargain signing — the type of transfer Wenger and Arsenal are known for. However, with Liverpool also looking at the striker, the Gunners will have to move fast if they want to snap him up without the last minute complications that have exemplified many of their transfer dealings of late.
The 25-year-old has played his entire professional career in Italy, despite being born in France. Defrel joined Sassuolo last summer from Cesena, but took a while to showcase his abilities. Five goals in his last 12 appearances helped him take his total tally for 2015-16 to seven goals and three assists.
The Frenchman’s skills on the ball may have been good over the past few seasons, but his poor finishing meant that the goals were not coming for the striker. However, he seems to have addressed this issue, having started off the current season very well for Sassuolo.
Defrel has already registered five goals and an assist in all competitions for I Neroverdi this season. This could end up being a break-out season for the young striker, whose pace and dribbling ability has earned comparisons to former PSG winger and compatriot Jeremy Menez.
