The same names tend to be linked to Arsenal as possible summer 2024 transfer targets, whether they are established stars like Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney or up-and-coming stars like Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
But here are five more overlooked strikers with legitimate star quality who could help Arsenal going forward in the ever-tense Premier League title race with Manchester City.
Lois Openda, RB Leipzig
A new signing for RB Leipzig from Ligue 1, Lois Openda was actually the main starter for the Bundesliga giants over Benjamin Sesko.
While Sesko should be the priority target from Leipzig over Openda because of his age and upside with his goal-scoring attributes, Openda has more of an all-around game and is pretty much just as impressive as a scorer.
Openda was one of the most prolific strikers in European football last season with 24 goals, and he even had 7 assists with around 2 fouls drawn per game. The 24-year-old can create something out of nothing.
Artem Dovbyk, Girona
In the prime of his career at the age of 26, Ukrainian No. 9 Artem Dovbyk should be on the radar of every Premier League club in need of a striker – Arsenal included.
Dovbyk helped lead the way for Girona in the LaLiga title charge and was the best goal-scorer in Spanish football, which does not favor goal-scoring in the slightest.
The scorer of 21 goals, Dovbyk also had 7 assists for Girona, using his frame well to own the box as a scorer and a creator, showing world-class hold-up play and aerial ability.
Dovbyk can definitely bring something unique to the table for the Arsenal attack, which lacks that sort of a touring presence in the middle.
Jonathan David, Lille
Jonathan David is another excellent, bigger striker who can score goals, create chances, hold-up play, and even put defenders on skates with subtle motions.
A rapidly-improving player, the Canadian was earmarked for future success from a young age in the Belgian league, but he didn’t truly take off until finding a more well-rounded and consistent playing style in the 2022/23 season.
The Lille star finished the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign with 19 goals and 4 assists. He is another relatively young strikers who checks off all the stylistic boxes for Arsenal.
Andrej Kramaric, Hoffenheim
Maximilian Beier is a striker/playmaker hybrid who could interest Arsenal, but the Gunners already have a better version of that player in Kai Havertz.
So maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a flier on the pure No. 9 working with him so well, Andrej Kramaric. The Bundesliga legend is 32 and probably too old to interest Arsenal, but older players can be cheaper and more of a sure thing.
Kramaric owned Bayern Munich on the final day of the season and is one of the best finishers in world football; he’s as good at finishing chances as any elite striker there is, Erling Haaland included.
Last season, Kramaric picked up 15 goals and averaged a stunning 2.6 key passes per game. He is aging like a fine wine, especially creatively. Stick him in your back pocket as a player to watch on the cheap.
Victor Boniface, Bayer Leverkusen
From the Bundesliga, Victor Boniface would make more sense as a young, dynamic goal-scorer who can create exciting moments and produce chances for himself or his teammates from thin air.
Boniface had some injuries, but he still finished his first top-five campaign in Europe with 14 goals and 8 assists for the undefeated Bayer Leverkusen.
If anything, Boniface could be a less risky alternative to Victor Osimhen with the same superstar power or a more exciting alternative to Benjamin Sesko with similar goal-scoring strengths.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.