It almost goes without saying – given the sheer amount of reports parrotting similar information – that Arsenal are in the market for a centre-forward this summer.
And the prospect of a big-money arrival – HITC understands Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Dusan Vlahovic are all under consideration – raises doubts about some of those currently contracted to the Premier League runners-up.
After another season stuck on the bench, it will come as no surprise to learn that Arsenal are willing to cash in on Eddie Nketiah, provided West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth can stump up a fee in the £40 million bracket.
HITC also reports that offers for Gabriel Jesus will be considered. After an outstanding if not-exactly prolific debut season at the Emirates, injuries and the form of Kai Havertz restricted Jesus to only four top-flight goals in 2023/24.
But, as Arsenal fans know from experience, one poor season does not a poor centre-forward make.
Alexandre Lacazette reborn after Arsenal exit
While few will argue that the decision to let both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang go was the wrong one – Arsenal have gone from strength to strength without them – their sudden flurry of goals post-Gunners should act as an inspiration for a striker like Jesus who is also hoping to put a difficult spell behind him.
Aubameyang, rumours of his demise greatly exaggerated, broke the 30-goal barrier for the first time since 2017 at Marseille last season. Fellow veteran Lacazette, meanwhile, has hit the target 52 times since returning to Lyon on a free transfer in 2022.
And Arsenal legend Thierry Henry could hardly be more glowing in his praise for a striker who will be leading the line for France at this summer’s Olympic Games on Parisian soil.
“(Lacazette) is a quality player,” Henry tells France Info, the Lyon captain one of two over-23 players called up for the host nation’s preliminary squad alongside Crystal Palace hitman Jean-Philippe Mateta.
It is not just Lacazette’s goalscoring prowess, Henry adds, but his leadership skills which could come in handy for a team made up almost wholly of youngsters and rising stars.
“He’s a leader of men,” the Arsenal Invincible adds. “We know what he can do on the pitch, so it was our choice (to include Lacazette).”
France seeking gold at Paris Olympics
Michael Olise (Palace), Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain) and Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich) join Lacazette in a very exciting France frontline, even if Henry’s hopes of calling up new Real Madrid Galactico Kylian Mbappe appear to have been ki-boshed.
Burnley defender Maxime Esteve is the other England-based player in Henry’s initial roster.
HITC, meanwhile, reports that RB Leipzig wonderkid Sesko has told his representatives he is keen on a move to Arsenal over the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
The Slovenia international, who has a £55 million release clause in his contract, scored in the final seven Bundesliga games of 2023/24, including a stunning long-range striker in front of the Gunners scouts against Eintracht Frankfurt.
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