Arsenal’s perceived ‘slow start’ is becoming more of a misnomer as each week passes, with Mikel Arteta’s side stretching their new-found lead at the Premier League summit to two points. A lack of goals across a forward line that was already hitting double figures this time last season means doubts still exist over their credentials, however. We explore five Arsenal striker targets who could be on their radar in January, or failing that, summer 2024.
Will Arsenal Sign a Striker in January?
According to the latest David Ornstein Arsenal news, business in January for the league leaders will be restricted by Financial Fair Play (FFP), which already forced them to circumvent an initial permanent deal for David Raya in the summer.
The Spaniard’s loan deal will be made permanent, meaning their budget is already set back by £27m. How much of that budget is being reserved for the upcoming January window remains unclear, but that hasn’t prevented the usual Arsenal transfer rumour mill from kickstarting into action.
Ornstein indicated that it is more likely their attention will turn to further reinforcement in midfield, with Douglas Luiz to Arsenal links resurfacing once more after a string of eye-catching performances at Aston Villa.
However, with both Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah underperforming on their xG last season, and combining for just six goals in the Premier League this season, most Arsenal fans will tell you the pursuit of a recognised number nine is their personal priority.
If they are to target what is an increasingly narrow gap in the market, they will likely have to wait until the summer given their FFP constraints and the unlikelihood of larger deals going through in the winter.
Nevertheless, here are five realistic Arsenal striker transfer targets for January.
Arsenal Striker Targets For the January Transfer Window
Ivan Toney
The strongest links have undoubtedly come in the shape of Ivan Toney to Arsenal, which intensified after the Brentford striker expressed his admiration for the club as a young player. The Gunners remain in pole position for his signature, although Premier League betting sites continue to pit them against Chelsea as joint-favourites.
Toney’s gambling ban will be lifted in January, meaning he will be free to feature for the Bees after eight months on the sidelines. Whether Arsenal are prepared to take what could well be an expensive risk on a player lacking match-sharpness is another question entirely, and one that perhaps doesn’t quite fit with their recent transfer policy.
Any potential dealings have been made that little bit easier by establishing a positive relationship with Brentford, but letting go of their prized asset won’t come cheap for any of the Premier League potential suitors.
🚨🏴 Thomas Frank: “I don’t want to lose Ivan Toney. I hope, and think, he’ll be a Brentford player on February 1”.
“For sure Ivan is fit and probably even more ambitious to get success. I’m convinced he will be absolutely on it”, told @EveningStandard. pic.twitter.com/CEjjedrNrx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 1, 2023
20 league goals was bettered only by Harry Kane and the freakish exploits of Erling Haaland’s record-breaking year; his impressive resumé is impossible to ignore.
However, that sort of goalscoring calibre commands a fee of at least £80m in this inflated market – it seems a remote possibility that the Gunners can stretch to this so soon after an expensive summer.
Likelihood: 6/10
Serhou Guirassy
This next Arsenal striker target may have managed to make it on to your radar, but if he hasn’t, he almost certainly will.
Serhou Guirassy is embroiled in a fascinating race for the Bundesliga golden boot alongside Harry Kane, both of whom have already reached last year’s slightly underwhelming winning haul of 16.
Stuttgart’s astonishing renaissance from a gut-wrenching relegation play-off to a sitting third in the table – just two points behind unbeaten Bayern Munich – has been an enthralling storyline to follow, and much of their success can be attributed to Guirassy.
Stuttgart’s ascension to the upper echelons of the table is mirrored by Guirassy’s rise to prominence, with his 16-goal tally already surpassing any of his totals in the Bundesliga, and formerly in Ligue 1.
The 27-year-old is flirting with being labelled a ‘journeyman’ given he has represented eight different teams, but there is no doubting he could be an instant injection of goals for Arsenal, who may look for a stopgap forward in January given the restrictions placed on them.
31 goals in 40 games for Stuttgart is no mean feat – certainly one to keep an eye on, whether he joins Arsenal or another interested party.
Likelihood: 7/10
Benjamin Sesko
As mentioned, the number nine market is extremely narrow – perhaps the most competitive market of any position at this current moment.
This means a select few forwards find themselves linked to every team in need of a recognised goalscorer, and as of late, that shortlist typically includes RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
The latest Fabrizio Romano Arsenal news at the beginning of November suggested no concrete approach has been made, but he did confirm the club have sent scouts to watch the hugely promising 20-year-old already this season.
At six-foot-four the Slovenian is a commanding presence, but possess the frightening mobility and movement akin to Erling Haaland.
Arsenal rely on delicate passages of interlinking play between their forwards around the opposition’s box, but having a player with aerial ability and presence in the box would almost certainly yield them more goals – for reference, only Luton and Everton have registered more crosses than the Gunners in the Premier League this term.
Sesko only swapped Salzburg for Leipzig last summer so a January move is unlikely, but he is undoubtedly one to keep an eye on given Arsenal hold confirmed interest.
Likelihood: 5/10
Victor Osimhen
The latest Arsenal transfer news has been littered with reports of Victor Osimhen to Arsenal, and fans have begun to dream of what would surely be the most devastating front three in Europe.
It is a pipe dream for now. Osimhen leaving Napoli half-way through the campaign is a remote possibility given his importance to the club, and their president Aurelio De Laurentiis has, on more than one occasion, insisted it would take a world-record fee to convince him otherwise.
However, wide spread reports have suggested that Arsenal are prepared to stick with their current options in attack, and start laying the groundwork for a deal involving an elite striker in the summer.
Victor Osimhen Bags Italian FA Footballer Of The Year Gong
Monday’s event is coming one week before the CAF awards where the striker is in pole position to become the first Nigerian to win Africa’s top player prize since legendary Kanu Nwankwo in 1999.https://t.co/XIImXJkCjB pic.twitter.com/hmWh24B32z
— Channels Television (@channelstv) December 5, 2023
Osimhen fits the bill. Aside from Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, the Nigerian is quite possibly the most sought-after striker in world football. At just 24 there is the potential for a long-term contract, making it a much more attractive option that some of the others on this list.
Napoli are eager to tie him down to a new contract, so the long line of potential suitors queuing up for his services will be casting a keen eye on his situation between now and next summer.
Likelihood: 4/10
Dusan Vlahovic
As we have seen with David Raya, who has now arrived at the Emirates, and Douglas Luiz who continues to be highly desirable for Arsenal, sporting director Edu rarely drops interest in players who have been identified as potential additions.
The club made no secret of their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic two years ago prior to his switch to Juventus. The Serb has insisted that a move away from the Old Lady this winter is not on the cards, although an 8% revenue slump last year for the Italians may force their hand, should a sizeable bid come their way.
Arsenal trying to sign Vlahovic previously should tell you all you need to know about what they make of him.
The Gunners faithful still haven’t forgiven him for his very public snub, after he admitted joining them “never crossed his mind.” It would come as no surprise to see him still very much on their radar, however.
Likelihood: 6/10
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