Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly set to take a step towards the pursuit of Sampdoria attacker Patrik Schick, with clubs set to meet his agent.
Daily Mail are claiming that Arsenal and Tottenham are set to take a step towards the pursuit of Sampdoria striker Patrik Schick. The striker is garnering interest from several Italian clubs along with the aforementioned Premier League duo. But it seems the North Londoners are set to open talks with the player’s agent.
Schick’s agent Pavel Paska is due in London on Wednesday, where he is set to open talks and have discussions with Arsene Wenger and Tottenham chief scout Steve Hitchen in order to hammer out the prospect of a potential move in the summer.
Patrik Schick arrived at Sampdoria from Bohemians last summer and has since captured the imagination in Serie A, with a series of impressive performances under his belt. The 21-year-old Czech international has managed a total of 9 goals and 2 assists in a total of 26 appearances for Sampdoria in all competitions.
His displays have seen him attract interest from the likes of Chelsea, Inter Milan, West Brom, Everton and Crystal Palace along with the aforementioned duo, with Inter Milan reported to be in advanced talks over a potential transfer.
New from @DiMarzio – The agent of Sampdoria striker Patrik Schick will hold meetings with both @Arsenal & @SpursOfficial in London tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/lpWXqTHqSV
— Messi Minutes (@MessiMinutes) March 28, 2017
Arsenal find themselves facing a potential crisis. Even if Arsene Wenger does end up staying, the Gunners might lose Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil along with several other senior members of the squad. Arsenal have been in need of a striker and the mass exodus could make it even more imperative.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have an imperious striker in Harry Kane. But it is his partner-cum-cover that has been missing. Vincent Janssen has failed miserably since joining the club last summer and is rumoured to be heading towards an exit come the end of the season.
Even if he ends up staying, Pochettino is likely to want an addition to the forward lines in order to strengthen the strikeforce. And, this may be a step towards realising just that. Schick is likely to be looking at the opportunity to lock down a regular place in the squad coupled with the lure of European soccer.
Arsenal right now are sixth on the table and while they could provide the 21-year-old with regular football next campaign, they are right now on course to not qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Tottenham are on course to achieve the aforementioned but, with Harry Kane present, they are unlikely to be able to offer him the role of a starter, in his natural position.
Schick is contracted to Sampdoria till 2020 and has a release clause of £21 million, an amount both Arsenal and Tottenham would not budge in paying in lieu of the player’s arrival at their respective club.
It might depend on how smoothly the talks go with Pavel Paska. But, Schick is likely to be on the move in the summer, be it to the Premier League or within Italy or someplace else entirely.
