Transfer Tracker: Arsenal's identify several strikers

It’s only two days since the last game of the season for Arsenal, and they’ve ramped up their transfer business. It started with a reported contract extension with Mohamed Elneny, substantial interest in Youri Tielemans, and now pursuits of Gabriel Jesus and Victor Osimhen.

The Athletic reporter David Ornstein reported that Arsenal’s No. 1 target is Gabriel Jesus, even with missing out on the Champions League for next season. Manchester City is rumored to be asking for £42m-£55m, but it’s unclear whether or not Arsenal will be entertaining a deal that steep. Jesus finished an impressive season scoring 13 goals and 12 assists in 41 games in all competitions. However, at Man City, he tended to play as a right-winger this past season; if he arrives at Arsenal, he will instead mold into the No. 9 role. If Arsenal has made Jesus their main target in the transfer window, this deal may get done within weeks. During the Premier League champions celebration, Jesus publicly said that “My future is still uncertain. I have already expressed my desire to Man City people and to my agent. I have in my head very clear what I want,” (ESPN).

Along with Jesus, goal.com reporter Charles Watts reported that Arsenal met with Victor Osimhen’s agent last week to discuss a possible move from Napoli. Osimhen’s been on Arsenal’s transfer list since he was a part of Lille in Ligue 1, but he moved to Napoli last year. The 23-year-old Nigerian international striker impressed many in Serie A this season, scoring 18 goals and six assists in 32 matches in all competitions. However, Napoli will likely demand a very high fee since they spent £68m to bring the striker from Lille last summer. It’s rumored that Napoli will accept nothing less than £94m for Osimhen, which would price Arsenal out of any possible move to the Emirates.

Another Serie A striker that continues to gain traction in a possible move is Tammy Abraham. The former Chelsea and current Roma striker broke the goal record in a season for an English international player in Serie A. Abraham scored 27 goals and five assists in 52 matches in all competitions. Unfortunately, this may become a very complicated transfer for Arsenal due to Roma spending £34m, so they’ll likely ask for a higher fee since Abraham signed a five-year contract last summer. Abraham may be on Arsenal’s shortlist for a potential striker, but he may not be the main priority for the Gunners.

Arsenal is attempting to bring in their transfer targets quickly to adapt to the team in preseason ahead of the new Premier League season. If Jesus is Arsenal’s primary target, it could be one of the first deals done this summer. It’s reported that Arsenal signed Brazilian international Marquinhos for £3m and will likely loan him out to a La Liga side.