As they have been for a number of windows now, Arsenal are heavily linked with a number of strikers heading into the summer, but Gary Lineker has picked out one who he believes could make the difference for the Gunners.
The January window saw Mikel Arteta make a public plea to bring bodies through the door at the Emirates, but despite long-term injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus there were no signings.
An injury to Kai Havertz on the club’s mid-season trip to Dubai now leaves them without a recognised No 9, with Mikel Merino filling in for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by West Ham.
Alexander Isak has been linked numerous times with the Gunners, while the north London club made a shock bid to bring Ollie Watkins to the capital in January, but Lineker has ventured two other names.
‘Victor Osimhen is there isn’t he?’ he asked, on his The Rest Is Football podcast on Monday.
‘He without a doubt would score goals for them. The problem they’ve got now is the whole world knows they need a forward.
Gary Lineker has named two strikers that he believes Arsenal could sign in the summer window
However one issue the Gunners may face is the fact that everyone knows they need a forward
Arsenal have been operating without a centre forward with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus out
‘So a player who might have cost £60-70million is now going to be worth £100-110m when Arsenal come in. They’re going to have to pay over the odds and perhaps that was their issue last summer and in January, maybe they refused to pay over the top for someone.
‘They need a top-class centre forward, they did before a ball was kicked this season and my opinion hasn’t changed.’
Osimhen shot to prominence with Napoli in their Scudetto-winning campaign of 2022-23, with his goals leading the southern Italian side to a Serie A crown.
However, the arrival of Antonio Conte at the club at the start of this season saw the Nigerian star frozen out, and he has since moved on loan to Galatasaray.
As such, with the player seemingly not in the manager’s immediate plans, there could prove to be leeway when it comes to striking a deal, with the Gunners likely needing to spend big to bring in the calibre of striker needed to win a league title.
Yet Osimhen was not the only recommendation from Lineker, who also suggested a name a little closer to home than Istanbul, who he believes should be Arsenal’s priority.
‘If I were them I’d go for [Liam] Delap at Ipswich,’ the former England striker suggested.
‘I know he’s young and not entirely proven but he’s scored quite a lot of goals in the Premier League this season for a team that’s obviously struggled having been promoted.
He also recommended the north London outfit make a move for Ipswich’s Liam Delap
The Tractor Boys’ striker has been impressive in his debut campaign in the Premier League
Arsenal have also long been linked with Alexander Isak though a move may prove too costly
‘I like him and his movement. There’s talk of him going back to Man City but [Erling] Haaland has signed a nine-year deal so you might have to wait an awfully long time to get a game.’
Delap’s services are set to be in high demand after his impressive campaign in the top-flight, with Manchester United and Chelsea also linked with the young striker.
For many fans, Newcastle’s Isak would represent the ideal signing, given his excellent footwork and technique, proven finishing, and two seasons of exposure in the Premier League.
However, of all the strikes the club has been linked with, the Swedish star is likely to be the most expensive option of all.
‘I don’t think Arsenal can afford him. I really don’t. I’m being serious,’ said podcast co-host Alan Shearer.
‘Why would he want to go there if Newcastle get into the Champions League and win a trophy? This could be a huge season for Newcastle.’
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