Arsenal have been told that they need a very different kind of player to Riccardo Calafiori in this transfer window amid one Kai Havertz doubt.
Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italian defender has clearly been a top target for the Gunners this summer. Arsenal are now close to being able to confirm the signing of Calafiori, having reached an agreement with both Bologna and the player himself.
However, there is an argument that Mikel Arteta’s focus ought to be on strengthening other areas of his squad. Of course, though, there is still time to do exactly that this summer.
Signing a central midfielder is a priority for Arsenal. The Gunners need someone who can pair well with Declan Rice in the middle of the park, reducing the manager’s reliance on Jorginho, who is in the twilight years of his career, and Thomas Partey, who cannot be trusted to remain fit and available.
On top of that, the North London club need to upgrade their attacking contingent, and have been informed that this ought to be their chief concern.
Arsenal told to focus on Kai Havertz upgrade amid Riccardo Calafiori transfer saga
Former Chelsea defender Scott Minto has urged the Gunners to prioritise bringing in another goalscorer this summer.
Although Kai Havertz shone as a striker for Arsenal in the second half of last season, he is not the most prolific of forwards, and would struggle to fire Arteta’s side to a title triumph over the course of an entire campaign.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Minto said: “I go back to what Arsenal really, really need. I think with [Jurrien] Timber being fit, I think with [Takehiro] Tomiyasu being around, I don’t think they need anything other than a guy who can pretty much guarantee 20 goals a season.
“Again, I go back to the fact that people are saying, well, yeah, but we scored goals last season. Absolutely, but is there a guarantee that Havertz will do that again? I am not so sure.
“He is not that clinical striker. Very intelligent player, again, a good person to have in the squad, and he would be playing a lot of first-team games, but if you had an Ivan Toney or a proper striker, I would save the money and go upfront.”
Mikel Arteta on the hunt for Arsenal striker signing
The need for a striker is not lost on Arteta. Arsenal tried to sign Benjamin Sesko earlier this summer, and may well have other targets for that role in mind.
However, Havertz has done enough to earn some faith in his ability to effectively lead the line. There is also pressure on Gabriel Jesus to step up in front of goal this season amid question marks over his future.
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