Arsenal could be set to hijack Tottenham in the transfer market this summer
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta(Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal could be set to pull the rug from under their north London rivals Tottenham and hijack their move for a key summer target.
The two rivals have both identified a new striker as a key summer priority during the transfer window, with Arsenal looking to take the goalscoring load off centre-forwards Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, while Tottenham are looking to ease their over-reliance on Son Heung-min’s goals from midfield.
Ange Postecoglou’s search for a new frontman has taken him to Serie A this summer, but dispatches from Italy suggest that hesitation on Spurs’ part could open the door for the Gunners.
VIDEO How Gareth Southgate Evolved England (And Why He HAD To Go)
Reports had suggested that Spurs were closing in on a bargain move for Italy striker Federico Chiesa, who is now in the final year of his Juventus contract. A fee of around €20-25 million had been mooted, but SportMediaSet now claim that Spurs are yet to make contact with the Turin side about a move.
They add that Chelsea, another side to be linked, have also not yet entered negotiations, while Arsenal have taken the first steps towards taking advantage of the situation by getting in contact to enquire about the conditions of a deal.
Juve are showing no signs of offering the 26-year-old a contract extension as new boss Thiago Motta gets to work in Turin, with Chiesa failing to find the form that made him an integral part of Italy’s Euro 2020 victory following a number of injury issues.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Federico Chiesa in action for Italy
Chiesa is valued at €35million by Transfermarkt, but in FourFourTwo’s opinion, could prove to be something of a bargain for the right team if he is able to rekindle his 2020/21 form.
Given Arsenal’s title ambitions, a move to the Emirates may not be the right fit though, as Mikel Arteta will be looking for more of a statement signing up front and one that can be relied upon to score the goals which could make the difference in next season’s title race.
For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team.
