Arsenal have taken the lead over Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the pursuit of PSV Eindhoven’s forward Johan Bakayoko, as reported by Belgian outlet Gazet van Antwerpen.
The Gunners aim to strengthen their attacking lineup this summer to improve their chances of a more robust title challenge next season, and the Belgium international has been a long-standing target.
In a recent training session of the Belgian national soccer team, Bakayoko was seen preparing for a friendly match against Ireland, part of their Euro 2024 preparations.
Although Arsenal has not yet secured an agreement with Bakayoko or PSV, a deal seems plausible, with an estimated €45 million likely sufficient to persuade the Dutch club to sell one of their top players. The 21-year-old had an impressive 2023-24 season, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 33 league games, along with one goal and one assist in eight Champions League matches.
Romelu Lukaku, Bakayoko’s fellow Belgian, has recently praised the Arsenal target, calling him ‘incredible’ and predicting that he could surpass Lukaku’s achievements if he maintains his current trajectory.
Bakayoko primarily operates on the right side of the attack, making it challenging to see him replace the ever-reliable Bukayo Saka if he joins North London this summer. Bakayoko might favor a move where he can secure a guaranteed starting position, which could lead Arsenal to miss out on him.
Nevertheless, Arsenal needs quality depth in their attack, and Bakayoko’s skills and playing style make him an ideal candidate. However, at 21, he might be reluctant to join a team where he isn’t assured of regular playing time.
Currently, Bakayoko is participating in the European Championship with Belgium, having played 33 minutes so far. He is expected to replace the suspended Dodi Lukebakio against Ukraine on Wednesday.
As the tournament progresses, Bakayoko will aim to impress potential suitors, and Arsenal will continue monitoring his performance before making a final decision.
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