The phrase ‘career crossroads’ feels pretty appropriate for the situation this Arsenal youngster finds himself in during the summer of 2024.
At the age of 21, the Gunners starlet is still young, yes, but has maybe missed the boat as far as a first-team role under Mikel Arteta is concerned.
What’s more, with only 12 months left on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal realistically either have to hand Mika Biereth a new deal or cut him loose.
It appears that the Premier League runners up are choosing the latter option.
Biereth made quite the impression during a couple of loan spells last term. The Denmark Under 21 international ended the campaign with 14 goals to his name, six in Scotland with Motherwell and nine after moving to Austria with a title-winning Sturm Graz in the winter.
Arsenal look likely to sell Mika Biereth
With his broad-shouldered frame, his blonde bombshell haircut and his power-packed finishing, comparisons have even been drawn with former Sturm starlet and now-£64 million Manchester United frontman Rasmus Hojlund.
Fellow Dane Hojlund spent only half a season at the Merkur Arena, scoring the same number of goals as Biereth did. And Sturm Graz are keen to ensure that the latter sticks around far longer than the former, sporting director Andreas Schicker confirming that not only do the Austrian Bundesliga champions want to keep Biereth, but also that Arsenal ‘want to sell’.
“Mika is in the last year of his contract,” Schicker tells Kronen Zeitung. “The club wants to sell him.
“Now we need to find a solution with Arsenal.”
Two weeks ago, the Kronen Zeitung reported that The Gunners were in no rush to make a decision. Biereth is expected to be included on Arsenal’s pre-season trip to the USA, perhaps in the hope that offers will arrive at a larger fee than Sturm Graz are able to pay.
Still, Biereth will have his own say on the matter. And the former Fulham starlet, who joined Arsenal’s academy in 2021, is certainly open to staying at the side who ended Red Bull Salzburg’s long stranglehold on the Austrian game.
15 goals for Motherwell and Sturm Graz
“Everyone is waiting and is in the role of observer,” Schicker said, suggesting that any decision over Biereth’s future would take place after the European Championships. “Patience is required in the transfer window this year.
“I’m in talks with Arsenal. I’ve spoken to Mika. He’s always felt comfortable with us.”
Biereth has never made a first-team appearance for Arsenal. With The Gunners in the market for an elite number nine – HITC understands Benjamin Sesko was a £55 million target before signing a new deal at RB Leipzig – it is difficult to imagine Biereth securing a key role in Arteta’s plans.
Arsenal have already sold another academy kid in Arthur Okonkwo to Wrexham.
“My overall impression of Mika is very positive,” Sturm Graz coach Christian Ilzer tells the Arsenal website. “Much of what we expected from him turned out to be true. What we saw of him beforehand, what our analysts saw and his profile.
“He has this aggressive, powerful style of play and is ready to work without the ball.
“But also with the ball, he is a striker with depth and with a cool head in front of goal despite his young age. But he also has the right mindset. This killer mindset.
“In general, he has the robustness needed to be able to hold on to the ball. (Biereth_ has the energy to sprint into areas in the box. He has a good sense of where the ball might go. He has this attacking instinct. He also has a very good finishing (ability) and finishes well with the first touch.
“Technically and tactically, he has the whole package.”
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