Eddie Nketiah is now on the verge of leaving Arsenal.
If and when Eddie Nketiah leaves the Emirates Stadium this summer, Mikel Arteta will need to source a replacement for the striker.
Nketiah is close to joining Marseille. The move will be structured as an initial season-long loan, with a £25 million obligation to buy included.
At this stage in his career, the Hale End academy graduate needs to be playing regular football, and it is clear that he won’t get the opportunity to do that for Arsenal, as he slipped down the pecking order last season and spent the second half of the campaign with a bit-part role in the squad.
However, with Nketiah gone, Arteta will lack recognised centre-forwards in his squad. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus will jostle for the right to be first choice, though the former may find himself playing in midfield anyway. Meanwhile, Leandro Trossard can lead the line but is preferred on the left wing.
The Gunners have been in the market for a new striker all summer. Arsenal have been linked with a host of names, including the likes of Victor Osimhen, Dominic Solanke, Viktor Gyokeres, and Ivan Toney, amongst others.
However, Arteta may now be ready to consider alternative options, including Brighton forward Simon Adingra.
Why Simon Adingra could be the perfect Eddie Nketiah replacement at Arsenal
As reported by Sussex World, Marseille themselves showed an interest in Adingra this summer, with the Ivory Coast international being valued at £30 million by the Seagulls.
That valuation is based largely on the 22-year-old’s potential. However, in his 31 appearances in his maiden Premier League campaign last season, in which he scored 6 goals, the attacker certainly showed that he has quality.
Of course, Adingra would be a somewhat surprising target for Arsenal to pursue given his relative lack of profile or track record at the highest level, and he’d be a risky signing to make for the same reason. If he can live up to his potential, though, then he could prove to be a bargain.
What’s more, Adingra would be able to provide talented back up for Havertz and Jesus, without expecting to start week in, week out, making the pecking order in that part of the pitch easier for Arteta to manage.
It wouldn’t just be the strikers being backed up by the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 winner either. Adingra is arguably at his best on the flanks, allowing him to lend his support to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli too. Nketiah, for his part, cannot offer such coverage.
Arteta’s Arsenal squad lacks pace, which Adringra would add. His versatility and finishing ability could make him a real hit at the Emirates Stadium too. Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has hailed the “quality” of Adingra in the past, calling him a “big player.”
Arsenal must speed up transfer business
With the start of the new Premier League season fast approaching, the Gunners need to pick up the pace with their transfer business.
Arsenal’s sluggishness allowed Liverpool to approach Martin Zubimendi, despite the fact the Gunners had previously reached an agreement with the Real Sociedad midfielder.
The North London club have to become more efficient, as Arteta will want new faces added to his ranks as soon as possible.
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