Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has urged Mikel Arteta to make a move for Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri to replace Alexandre Lacazette.
France attacker Lacazette will be out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to be offered a new deal by the Gunners. Indeed, Arteta is believed to be willing to sanction the player’s Emirates exit and is already considering replacements for the position.
The north London giants have been linked with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins. However, recent reports suggest that Morocco star En-Nesyri has also been scouted and that Arteta is a big fan.
The 24-year-old has excelled in Spain over the past two seasons, scoring 24 goals last term. He has also netted three times in six games so far this campaign.
En-Nesyri has also been a standout for his country, with 11 goals in 40 appearances. And it’s fair to say that Campbell is impressed, with the forward rated at around €45million.
He told the Highbury Squad podcast: “Good player, really good. For me, he would definitely come in and carry a threat. I will tell you that much.
“He will carry a threat top end of the pitch. He has good size, speed, knows where the goal is, he is skilful too.”
After the early-season struggles, the Gunners currently sit 11th in the Premier League table. However, they are only four points outside the top-four spots at this early stage of the campaign.
Arteta’s men are next in action against old boy Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace on Monday night football.
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Meanwhile, one of the stars of Brentford’s impressive start to the season has refused to rule out a move elsewhere amid reported transfer interest from Arsenal.
Thomas Frank’s side sit seventh in the Premier League table after three wins and three draws from their first seven games. Indeed, wins at West Ham and at home to Arsenal, together with a draw with Liverpool, have shown they fear no-one. And their in-your-face style have won them an army of new admirers.
Most of the plaudits have been reserved for striker Ivan Toney, who has two goals in four appearances. Ably assisted by Bryan Mbeumo, who has three in eight, the Bees have taken to Premier League life with ease.
It’s not just in attack where the west Londoners are thriving. Their goalkeeper David Raya has also impressed between the sticks. His form has previously had Everton and Arsenal on his trail.
And his fine form so far has seen them pair once again linked with a move.
Arsenal are likely to lose Bernd Leno in January after he lost his place to Aaron Ramsdale.
Everton, meanwhile, have also been linked and could be in the market for a long-term No 2. Rafa Benitez brought in Asmir Begovic over the summer as a deputy for Jordan Pickford.
And Raya, while insisting he’s happy at the Brentford Community Stadium, is refusing to rule anything out over a future move.
“I’m happy at the club,” Raya told Cadena Ser.
“I want to have a good season this year. We’ll see what happens in the summer. My ambitions are great, I’d like to play at the top. You always want to play for big clubs.”
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