Throughout the summer 2024 transfer window, Arsenal have been linked with big name strikers in their pursuit of a true No. 9 to replace the well-rounded Gabriel Jesus as the regular starting striker in pursuit of more goals – and the Premier League title over Manchester City.
Arsenal pushed hard for Benjamin Sesko, but he decided to stay with RB Leipzig. An even bigger star, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, remains on the Gunners’ radar, but his price has been set onerously high by the Partenopei.
As an alternative, Arsenal could go with someone younger, slightly less expensive, and with a less extensive injury history. That player is actually a man who started over Sesko for Leipzig last season, Lois Openda.
According to a report from Kicker, Arsenal are now interested in signing Openda, and RB Leipzig would like to receive 75 million pounds in order to part ways with the player they signed in 2023.
Openda was one of the most prolific strikers in European football last season with 24 goals, and he also made an all-around impact for Leipzig with 7 assists and 1.9 fouls drawn per game.
Capable of creating goal-scoring opportunities from nothing, the athletic Openda was worth every cent that Leipzig spent for him, as they paid Lens 40 million euros after he had already bagged 21 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1.
Openda has the mix of proven goal-scoring, future upside, and all-around play as a prototypical striker that Arsenal are looking for this summer, and whlie 75 million pounds is not cheap by any means, it could be a better deal than paying 25 million pounds more for Osimhen.
Still only 24 years of age, the actual best Belgian striker – sorry, Romelu Lukaku – has surprisingly received only lukewarm interest on the transfer market, but perhaps Arsenal are on to something here.
As they have shown repeatedly under Mikel Arteta, such as with the blockbuster Kai Havertz and Declan Rice signings last summer, Arsenal are willing to spend what it takes if they are sold on a player’s quality.
