Arsenal simply must seal transfer for 20-goal striker who Jorginho loves after making ‘contact’

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Arsenal are already setting their sights on securing a striker in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners are currently without a senior centre-forward after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury last week.

Gabriel Jesus will also miss the rest of this campaign with an ACL tear, with these two injuries prompting criticism of the Gunners for not acting in January.

However, Arsenal were eager not to scupper their future plans, which they clearly already have in place as they continue to be linked with summer moves for a plethora of forwards.

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Arsenal have made contact with Atalanta over Mateo Retegui transfer

While Havertz had scored 15 goals this season prior to sustaining his injury, there’s a general acceptance around the Emirates that another number nine is needed in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Alexander Isak appears to be Arsenal’s dream target, although the Newcastle man would cost the Gunners a fortune, and thus alternatives will need to lined up in the eventuality that a deal can’t be done for the Swede.

According to CaughtOffisde, Arsenal have made contact with Atalanta about the possibility of signing striker Mateo Retegui.

Retegui is enjoying a productive campaign in Serie A for the Bergamo side, netting 20 goals and providing three assists in 19 starts thus far.

This exceptional form has sparked interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United, with the former already initiating communication over a potential deal with the Italian club.

Juventus, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa are all also said to be in the race to sign the in-demand 25-year-old.

Arsenal must sign Mateo Retegui instead of Alexander Isak

Arsenal were linked with Retegui in January, indicating that the Italian has been on the Gunners’ radar for some time now.

It’s possible that the North London outfit view Retegui as a direct alternative to Isak, with the two players sharing similar attributes in regard to their combative hold-up play and immaculate finishing.

However, Newcastle reportedly want £150 million for Isak, likely making him a financially unviable option for Arsenal.

That makes Retegui one of the obvious options on the market, with his impressive goal-scoring exploits this season exactly what Arteta’s team needs.

At 25, he’s entering the prime of his career and he has the physical attributes that make him well suited to the intense demands of the Premier League.

Speaking to Football Italia, Arsenal star Jorginho praised Retegui last March.

“I think he has an important quality in front of the goal. He has an eye for the goal and is starving to score,” the veteran midfielder said.

“He is young and has room for improvement, which I think is the most exciting thing for those who love football. He can do even more; it only depends on him.”

While Jorginho is expected to leave Arsenal at the end of the season, the former Chelsea player could well intervene and tell his international teammate to swap Northern Italy for Islington this summer.