Arsenal could launch astonishing move for 'the next Cristiano Ronaldo' in huge striker opportunity: report

By
published

Arsenal have been presented with a surprise opportunity to move for a player called the next Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Gunners look to solve their goalscoring woes

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Sporting Directorduring a training session at NAS Sports Complex on January 13, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal could take advantage of the stars aligning – to enable them to sign a player dubbed 'the next Cristiano Ronaldo'.

The Gunners are on the hunt for a new goalscorer following disappointing returns from a number of forwards at the Emirates Stadium this season. The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz have underwhelmed at centre-forward, with Bukayo Saka top-scoring in the Premier League with just six strikes. 

Money may be tight this month with Financial Fair Play concerns to consider, meaning that manager Mikel Arteta may have to be lucky or creative to find himself the perfect striker. With one deal, fans may wonder if he could have to be both.

Bukayo Saka reacts after a missed chance in Arsenal's Premier League game at Fulham in December 2023.

Bukayo Saka is Arsenal's unlikely top scorer this term (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to the Express, the perfect chance to snare Goncalo Ramos has come up this month, with the Portuguese struggling to get game-time this season.

The Portuguese – who has drawn comparisons with countryman CR7 ever since he netted a sensational hat-trick at the 2022 World Cup – moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Benfica over the summer, initially on loan with a mandatory buy clause attached. Ramos hasn't seen much action, however, playing second-fiddle to the all-French frontline of Kylian Mbappe, Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele. 

While Arsenal won't have to take on PSG's loan obligation until the end of the season – the French champions confirmed in November that they'd activated the buy clause early – the Gunners could still sign the young striker on until the end of the season to offer the kind of game time that he is currently missing out on at Les Parisiens. 

Goncalo Ramos of Portugal celebrates at full-time of the FIFA World Cup 2022 last 16 match between Portugal and Switzerland at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on December 6, 2022 in Lusail, Qatar.

Goncalo Ramos could answer Arsenal's questions up front (Image credit: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Ramos has started eight league games for PSG and just once in the Champions League – but wouldn't be guaranteed to start much more for Mikel Arteta, needing time to adapt to the Basque boss's style of play and having to compete for places with older forwards. 

The 22-year-old is valued by Transfermarkt at €50 million.

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal identify £50m-rated Kai Havertz replacement in big statement of intent: report

Arsenal 'agree to meet' £50m asking price for midfielder: report

Arsenal in offer for La Liga's most prolific striker: report

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

More about stories
Arsenal target Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli SFC celebrates at the end of the AFC Champions League elite west football match between Qatar's Al Sadd SC and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli SFC at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on February 3, 2024.

Arsenal report: Incredible Roberto Firmino deal 'close', following recent Mikel Arteta 'hint'
Goalkeeper Anthony Lopes of Lyon (L) celebrates with his teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Lyon (C) after winning Brest during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Stade Brestois 29 at Groupama Stadium on April 14, 2024 in Lyon, France.

'Did I say no to Liverpool last summer? Yes, I did. But I'll be very clear: if this offer had come at the end of August, just before the end of the transfer window, I would have accepted it' Reds target admits he turned down Arne Slot's project
Formations in football

Formations in football: Every modern formation and system
See more latest