The long-awaited day for Arsenal fans has finally arrived. The deal is complete, and the unveiling of Arteta’s first summer signing will take place today, bringing jubilation to London Colney.
OFFICIAL NOW
The long-awaited day for Arsenal fans has finally arrived. The deal is now complete, and the unveiling of Arteta’s first summer signing will take place today, bringing jubilation to London Colney.
ARSENAL TARGETS BAKAYOKO
Arsenal has surged ahead of Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign PSV Eindhoven forward Johan Bakayoko, according to Belgian outlet Gazet van Antwerpen.
The Gunners are keen to bolster their attacking lineup this summer to strengthen their title bid for the upcoming season. The 21-year-old Belgian international, Johan Bakayoko, has long been a target for Arsenal.
Recently, Bakayoko was spotted training with the Belgian national soccer team, the Red Devils, at their training center in Tubize on March 22, 2024. The team is preparing for a friendly match against Ireland as part of their build-up to the Euro 2024 tournament.
While Arsenal has not yet finalized a deal with Bakayoko or PSV Eindhoven, the negotiations appear promising. A transfer fee of around €45 million might be sufficient to convince the Dutch club to part with one of their star players.
In the 2023-24 season, Bakayoko demonstrated his prowess by scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 33 league games. Additionally, he contributed one goal and one assist in eight Champions League matches.
Bakayoko has also earned high praise from fellow Belgian Romelu Lukaku, who described him as “incredible” and predicted that Bakayoko could surpass Lukaku’s own achievements if he continues on his current path.
Primarily a right winger, Bakayoko would face stiff competition from Bukayo Saka if he joined Arsenal. Saka, a key and durable player for the Gunners, makes it uncertain whether Bakayoko would secure a regular spot in the starting lineup.
Bakayoko might prefer a move to a club where he can be assured of more playing time, potentially complicating Arsenal’s efforts to sign him. However, Arsenal needs quality depth in their attack, and Bakayoko’s skills and playing style make him a fitting candidate.
Currently, Bakayoko is with the Belgian national team at the European Championship. He has played 33 minutes so far and is expected to replace the suspended Dodi Lukebakio in the match against Ukraine on Wednesday.
Arsenal will be closely monitoring Bakayoko’s performances in the tournament before making their final decision. The PSV star is eager to impress potential suitors and solidify his reputation on the international stage.