Arsenal face Prem competition for €20m striker enjoying his best season
Arsenal are interested in giving Gent striker Roman Yaremchuk an opportunity in the Premier League, according to reports.
Ukraine international Yaremchuk is enjoying a prolific season in the Belgian top flight. He has already achieved his best ever goals tally for a single campaign, having netted 18 times in all competitions. At 25 years old, the time seems right for him to test himself on a bigger stage.
The Premier League could be his destination. Arsenal are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements and according to Het Laatste Nieuws, Yaremchuk is on their radar.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has not been in his best form since signing a huge new contract in the summer. It has led to worries from some that Arsenal could end up with another Mesut Ozil situation.
Aubameyang is currently in hospital as he recovers from malaria. In his absence, and even for large portions of the season when he has been available, Alexandre Lacazette has been covering for him up front.
But there are doubts over the Frenchman’s future. He finds himself in the same position Aubameyang was in a year ago, with just over 12 months left on his contract.
After seeing how the Gabon international’s form has slipped, Arsenal will be thinking hard about a player who will be 30 at the start of next season. Lacazette has thus been linked with a move away to someone like Roma or Atletico Madrid.
That would leave Arsenal needing further options, with youngster Eddie Nketiah also expected to leave.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Yaremchuk could be an option. He is said to be available for transfer as long as Gent can receive €20m for his signature.
That should be within Arsenal’s grasp if they can sell Lacazette for a similar amount. However, their budget will depend on whether they can qualify for Europe.
At present, that is in doubt. Their only realistic hope of reaching the Champions League is by winning the Europa League. If they fail to, then their qualification for even the latter tournament looks an uphill battle given their Premier League position at present.
But if they can make it into Europe it will help them not only attract targets, but also afford them.
One of the reasons Yaremchuk would not come cheap is because he is under contract with Gent until 2025. But the Belgian club will not stand in his way if they can get their asking price.
Arsenal are not the only club considering a move for the Ukrainian. Wolves have also been linked as they look for further competition up front.
Balogun close to new deal
One striker who will be staying at Arsenal, it seems, is Folarin Balogun.
The American-born forward is approaching the final few months of his contract and there have been doubts over whether he will sign a new one.
Mikel Arteta though confirmed on Wednesday that talks have found a breakthrough and an announcement is imminent.
“We will make it official when it is official and everything is done,” Arteta said.
“As I said before, I have always been positive that he wants to stay at the club. We want him to stay at the club, so we are very close.”
READ MORE: Arsenal hopes crushed as top target deemed ‘non-transferable’
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