Luka Jovic could be the answer to Mikel Arteta’s imminent crisis, as Calciomercato report the striker Arsenal explored in January will leave Real Madrid in the next transfer window.
Arteta faces ending the term without any proven centre-forwards at the Emirates Stadium for next season. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both out of contract this June. While Folarin Balogun remains a work in progress during his loan spell with Middlesbrough.
Arsenal have also shelved talks with Lacazette over a new deal until the season is over, per the Evening Standard. The club wish to focus their efforts on qualifying for the Champions League, despite acknowledging the Frenchman can agree pre-contracts with foreign sides.
Despite Lacazette’s great efforts to help Arsenal on the pitch, he is also not the long-term goalscorer Arteta needs. The 30-year-old has just three goals in 19 Premier League games so far this season. His efforts were also against Crystal Palace, Southampton and Norwich.
Nketiah, meanwhile, is yet to score after seven Premier League games so far this term. The 22-year-old has just five top-flight strikes after 45 career outings, with two his season-high. As for Balogun, the 20-year-old is yet to score and has only played 70 top-flight minutes.
Edu could solve Arsenal crisis with Jovic as striker set to leave Real Madrid
Arsenal Technical Director Edu, then, could solve Arteta’s imminent crisis by pursuing Jovic with the striker set to leave Real Madrid in the next transfer window. Although he may face competition from Atalanta, with the Serie A side eying him as Duvan Zapata’s replacement.
The Gunners had explored a loan deal for Jovic in January to add depth in Arteta’s side, per The Athletic. They admire his link-up play and finishing, but held some concerns over his defensive work rate. The Sun also note the 24-year-old wants to prove himself in England.
Jovic will have three-years left on his Real Madrid contract come the next transfer window when Arsenal must sign strikers. He penned a £8.7m-a-season (£167k-a/w) six-year deal in 2019 after joining for £52.5m following a 17-goal Bundesliga term with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Galacticos will struggle to recoup most of the fee as the 20-cap star has struggled in La Liga. But Frankfurt winger Filip Kostic lauded Jovic for the shooting instincts he displayed in Germany. Traits that Arsenal still admired in January and could answer their forward crisis.
“Jovic is just unbelievable!” Kostic said, via Bundesliga.com. “He has outstanding timing and a feel for the goal.”
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