Arsenal failed to sign a proven goal-scorer in the last summer transfer window, and they are already suffering for their hesitancy in the transfer market. The Gunners are currently fifth in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.
Only right winger Bukayo Saka has looked capable of consistently scoring goals for Arsenal, and his injury left the Gunners rather barren in the attack. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are both good footballers, but they are not out-and-out strikers.
Meanwhile, the left wing position has been erratic, with Gabriel Martinelli yet to recover his 2022/23 form and Leandro Trossard clearly best suited for the utility backup role.
Arsenal need to prioritize a top striker like Viktor Gyokeres who can threaten for 20 in a season, but they are also increasingly looking for left wing options, having only taken a flier on declining veteran Raheem Sterling as an attacking move in summer 2024.
According to a report from the Daily Mirror’s Clive Hetherington and Daniel Orme, Arsenal are considering a bold 90 million pound transfer bid in order to coax West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus into leaving for the Emirates Stadium.
The plan is reportedly to replace Trossard with Kudus, as the Belgian winger is wanted by Saudi Arabia. Arsenal could recoup a significant chunk of that fee by selling Trossard, a quality player in his prime, to the Saudi Pro League.
It’s just so hard to envision West Ham being willing to sell Kudus. He is their best player and easily their most dynamic attacker, which is saying something since Crysencio Summerville is a real talent and Jarrod Bowen is legitimately one of the league’s best forwards.
West Ham have been poor this season, but with their talent, you have to figure they are bound for a rise up the table if they can find a better manager than Julen Lopetegui.
From an Arsenal perspective, Kudus is exactly the player they should be looking for, though he is better in the middle than on the left – and he may not have the scoring pedigree the Gunners need in the middle.
Pairing Kudus and Gyokeres, for example, would be ideal, and although the move would cost upwards of 150 million euros, it would be money well spent for a club that really does need to take advantage of this period by winning real silverware.
