Arsenal are reportedly ready to step up their pursuit of RB Salzburg star Patson Daka, who is also a target for Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United.
According to a report from the Express, Arsenal have RB Salzburg’s Zambian forward Patson Daka in their sights as they look for a long-term replacement for star striker Alexandre Lacazette. However, they are likely to face competition from arch-rivals Manchester United and Liverpool in his pursuit.
Arsenal will be needing a new striker this summer as Lacazette is entering the final year of his contract and is facing an uncertain future at the club. Despite his recently improved goal output, speculations have been doing the rounds that the Gunners are looking to offload him, as well as academy graduate Eddie Nketiah, which would leave them very light in the centre-forward department.
Throw in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s sharp decline since he signed a new contract with the club last summer, there have been rumours surrounding his future at the Emirates as well. While it is unlikely that both Auba and Lacazette would leave in the same transfer window, one of the two could very well be on their way out, necessitating the signing of a new striker for Arsenal.
Daka, to that end, has emerged as a viable option for the north London giants. The 22-year-old has flourished at RB Salzburg over the past couple of seasons, taking over seamlessly from Erling Haaland as the club’s main marksman. The Zambian international has plundered 31 goals and 10 assists from only 37 games across all competitions this season, attracting interest from a host of clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United.
Liverpool’s need for a new forward steps from the fact that they have been over-reliant on Mohamed Salah to produce the goods in front of goal this season. Both Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis while backup striker Divock Origi could be shown the doors at the end of the season, opening up a slot for someone like Daka to come into the side.
As for Manchester United, while they have been treated to some good news with regard to the future of Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial has largely underwhelmed in the 2020/21 campaign, failing to build on his strong season last time out. With Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood being used as options out wide, a new prolific striker like Daka becomes very much a necessary addition for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & co.
Daka, despite having three years left on his contract with RB Salzburg, could be available for as little as £17 million in the summer, making him an appealing target for each of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool. The Gunners, though, are reportedly now ready to step up their pursuit of the 22-year-old and it now remains to be seen if they are able to beat their rivals to his capture come summer.
