Arsenal now identify £65m striker who loves Gabriel Martinelli as transfer target

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal are keen to secure the services of Porto striker Evanilson.

Arsenal are on the hunt for a new goalscorer and Porto forward Evanilson is the latest name to emerge as a potential acquisition for the role.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with Ivan Toney, and Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface is said to be a fan of the north London club, giving Arsenal an edge in the race for his signature. 

However, according to FootballTransfers, Mikel Arteta now has his eye on Evanilson, who it is thought could be prised away from the Portuguese side for a fee in the region of £65 million. It is easy to see why the Spanish coach would find himself so enamoured with the 24-year-old, too.

Evanilson has been in fine form so far this season, racking up 16 goals in 23 appearances, across all competitions, for Porto.

However, it wold be a real challenge for the attacker to replicate that form and generate such end product in the Premier League. After all, he would be taking a significant step up in terms of standards by making the move to the Premier League. 

As a warning, Evanilson need only look to former Porto gem Fabio Vieira, who has so far struggled to justify his £34 million price tag since making his move last summer.

Evanilson has Arsenal connections in Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Martinelli

Evanilson will know Vieira well from the time they shared at Porto, and he also shares a connection with Gabriel Martinelli, who he is likely familiar with from representing Brazil at youth level together. 

When Martinelli posted a picture of himself and Vieira, who is his closest friend at Arsenal, on Instagram in March 2023, Evanilson responded, saying, “what a duo.”

If Evanilson does come to Arsenal, he will be hoping to have an impact more similar to Martinelli’s who is now a nailed-on starter on the left-wing, rather than Vieira, who is much further down the pecking order.

All in all, though, given his price tag and the level he plays at, the Gunners may be wise to eschew any kind of deal for Evanilson and instead focus their efforts on trying to sign a striker who has already proven himself in a top league.

In any case, a move for a striker of any kind is likely beyond Arsenal’s reach this month, given the limited financial resources that Arteta currently has to work with.