Italian giants AC Milan could be beaten when Arsenal sign a young French international, with a report detailing Mikel Arteta’s interest in the exciting striker.
Arsenal went big this summer, spending more than £200m on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, and at the same time agreed to sign David Raya on loan with an option to buy for an additional £27m. The huge summer spending has put in doubt whether Arsenal can strengthen the striker and central midfield positions during the winter window.
Arsenal are huge fans of Ivan Toney, though they will struggle to land him this month. Toney is happy to continue playing for Brentford, while Bees manager Thomas Frank insists it will take a huge bid to get his side even thinking about a possible exit.
Instead, the Gunners could be forced to opt for a less expensive option, such as Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez. He may still be a very smart signing, having scored 21 goals in 23 appearances for Feyenoord this season.
Arsenal have also turned their sights to Premier League midfielders Douglas Luiz and Amadou Onana, who make up Aston Villa and Everton respectively. But Fabrizio Romano has explained why Martin Zubimendi’s less expensive option could be a bigger signing.
Obviously, Arsenal want to do a lot more work if they want to bring Arteta’s squad into the squad before the end of the month. However, Arteta and sporting director Edu also have an eye on the club’s long-term future.
READ MORE: Arsenal’s double move comes to life as Edu works to close deals
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, they are keeping an eye on Jean-Matteo Bahoya before making a long-term move for the 18-year-old. He is a French U-19 foreigner who represents Angers at the top of the club and can function as a centre-back. Attacking midfielder or left winger.
Bahoya arrived at Angers’ youth academy before making his first-team debut in January 2023.
After being incorporated into the senior squad last season, Bahoya is now thriving at Angers. He has five goals and two assists in 19 Ligue 2 appearances, adding goals against Paris FC, Bastia, Bordeaux and Caen.
The striker’s superb form has seen Angers finish their moment in the table, one point behind Auxerre. However, the French team could soon lose their valuable star.
Milan have been following him for about two years, but Arsenal’s impressive monetary scenario (despite their recent spending) means they will have to be considered a favourite in the transfer race.
The report adds that while Angers are yet to get a formal offer for the teenager, several clubs have to “move forward” their negotiations in the last 24 hours. Presumably, this means that Arsenal, Milan, Frankfurt and Stuttgart are rushing. their efforts to check it out and let you know.
It is likely that one of those clubs will agree a permanent deal for Bahoya but let him to stay at Angers on loan until the end of the season, so he can continue his great development.
There’s no mention of how much Bahoya might cost, but Transfermarkt estimates his price at just £2. 1m. Therefore, if it finally reaches its full potential, this move can in all likelihood be a complete flight.
DON’T MISS: ‘If I’m Arsenal I’ll do everything I can to buy him’ – Arteta suggested ending the striker’s disorders with big impact