Arsenal have set their sights on Tottenham Hotspur slayer and Dinamo Zagreb superstar Mislav Orsic as Mikel Arteta looks for attacking reinforcements.
Mislav Orsic’s performances against Tottenham Hotspur in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Europa League will go down one of the most memorable ones in the coveted competition in recent years.
The Dinamo Zagreb attacker almost single-handedly downed Jose Mourinho’s men with a sensational hat-trick, and if reports from The Times, as relayed by The Sun, are to be believed, it has attracted the attention of Arsenal.
It is believed that Mikel Arteta is desperate for attacking reinforcements in the upcoming summer transfer window, with Martin Odegaard’s permanent move to Emirates emerging as the priority. The Spaniard, unfortunately, won’t be offered a hefty transfer kitty while recent reports suggest that Real Madrid could ask as much as €80 million for the services of their playmaker.
It has left Arteta to consider other options, with Orsic emerging as ones to top the list. Although a winger by trade, it appears the Arsenal manager has been impressed by the Croat’s productive season at Dinamo Zagreb, as well as the versatility that has seen him play almost anywhere across the final third.
A native of Zagreb, Orsic, at the age of 28, does not provide any prospect for the future. He is, however, at the peak of his powers at the moment, having been involved in a total of 27 goals in all competitions this term. Five of his goals have come in the UEFA Europa League, helping his club reach the quarterfinal.
Therefore, the former Ulsan Hyundai forward can offer Arsenal with immediate quality in the final third, as well as loads of experience. It is bound to do Arsenal a world of good as it provides the manager with the perfect mix of youth and experience.
Additionally, it is bound to take some playmaking pressure off the likes of Martin Odegaard, Emil Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, who have taken all creative responsibility in the team.
Orsic’s incredible hat-trick against Tottenham will only enforce this rumour further, providing something Arsenal fans to be glee about, if they end up signing the ambipedal winger. It is, though, quite important for the Gunners to keep hold of the services of Odegaard, who is reportedly valued at €80 million by Real Madrid.
They could potentially receive a financial boost should they offload some of the more fringe players including Matteo Guendouzi – a shock Chelsea target.
Should Chelsea make a move for Matteo Guendouzi this summer? | THT Opinions
Overall, it should be an interesting summer transfer window as Arteta hopes to ring in more changes to his squad following a mixed 2020/21 campaign.
