Arsenal have reportedly turned their attention towards Serie A to bolster their attack and are keeping tabs on Ivorian brothers Hamed and Amad Traore.
According to a report by 90min, Ivory Coast duo Hamed and Amad Traore are the subjects of interest from Arsenal over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The young brothers are being viewed as possible long-term solutions in attack, as the Gunners look to galvanize their squad.
Hamed and Amad Traore both left their homeland Ivory Coast in 2015 to make the switch to Italy, although they went their separate ways. Hamed Traore joined Empoli, while younger brother Amad made his way to Atalanta. Both have since made massive strides at their respective clubs, with Hamed Traore making his first-team debut at Empoli in the 2017-18 season.
The 20-year-old made his top-flight debut last season, turning out 32 times in Serie A, although Empoli were condemned to relegation. This term, he has featured on-loan for Sassuolo, and has 4 goals in 22 outings for the Serie A outfit. Amad Traore, on the other hand, has broken through at Atalanta this season, becoming the first player born in 2002 to score in the Serie A.
The Ivory Coast duo’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal setting their sights on them. In fact, as per the report, Arsenal have monitored the young brothers and are interested in striking deals to secure the services of both players this summer.
? #FlashBackFriday al gol più giovane di questa @SerieA ??
? When Amad #Traore became the first 2002 to score in #SerieATIM!#GoAtalantaGo ⚫️?#BergAMO #molamia pic.twitter.com/wktdWlqsEf
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) March 27, 2020
The Gunners did bolster their attack last summer by signing Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli, both of whom have enjoyed varying levels of success at the Emirates. However, Arsenal are in a bit of a pickle, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future at the club being uncertain.
Aubameyang has been linked with a move to Barcelona and with the Arsenal captain set to enter the final year of his deal with the north Londoners this summer, it is a tough situation for the Premier League heavyweights.
On top of that, with Dani Ceballos likely to return to Real Madrid at the end of his loan spell, Arsenal will also need to add a midfielder to their ranks. Both things considered, brothers Hamed and Amad Traore could potentially be solid additions, who might become long-term solutions in the final third.
Having said that, snapping up either player might be an uphill task for Arsenal, although valuation might not be much of an issues, especially considering Hamed Traore is valued at £20 million. Hamed, though, is on a two-year loan deal with Sassuolo, who also have an obligation to sign him permanently from Empoli when the loan spell ends.
On top of that, Juventus also have first refusal on the 20-year-old, complicating matters further for Arsenal. As for Amad Traore, swooping him away from Atalanta might not be easy, considering how highly La Dea rate him.
All things considered, both Hamed and Amad Traore are viable targets for Arsenal. But, considering how cumbersome it will be for the Gunners to complete either deal, they might just have to set their sights elsewhere, although it remains to be seen if the moves for both players can see the light of the day.