Basel have not received a single January bid for Arthur Cabral despite reported interest from Premier League giants Arsenal, Newcastle United and West Ham, club chief Philipp Kaufmann tells Swiss publication Nau.
When compiling a list of the best strikers in European football, your mind will immediately conjure up images of Robert Lewandowski slamming a fierce volley into the roof of the net.
Perhaps you’d think of Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Karim Benzema and Romelu Lukaku, maybe even Dusan Vlahovic or Victor Osimhen.
There is one player, however, who has outscored them all this term. And while Kairat Almaty, FC Lugano and Servette are hardly the most daunting of opposition, a tally of 27 goals in 31 games is not to be sniffed at.
No wonder Arthur Cabral is in such high demand this month.
Leeds United have renewed their interest in a player who saw a potential £16 million move to Elland Road fall through in 2020 due to work permit concerns.
Arsenal are also interested, as reported by TEAMtalk, amid doubts about the long-term futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.
Newly-moneyed Newcastle United have contacted Basel to express their interest too, according to Goal, while West Ham were rumoured to have made a £17 million bid recently.
But while there is no shortage of interest, serious, concrete bids it seems are in short supply.
Is Arthur Cabral heading to the Premier League?
“As of today, there is no written offer for Arthur,” says Kaufmann.
He does acknowledge that this ‘could change at any time’ however. The transfer merry-go-round has only just started to spin and there is plenty of time left before the window closes.
“It is important for us to be prepared. Then we will be ready, if it becomes concrete for Arthur,” Kaufmann adds.
“We want to have two players in all positions. This certainly includes Cabral’s number nine position.
“Arthur Cabral has phenomenal statistics. He is certainly one of the best strikers in Europe. Accordingly, there is interest. Strikers are always wanted.”
It is understood that Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and an Everton side who have won just one game in two months during Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury-enforced absence have scouted Cabral too this season.
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