Arsenal are likely to be busy on the transfer front this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his ranks.
The Gunners have just brought in Andrea Berta as sporting director, and one of his first jobs will be to bring in reinforcements up front.
Arsenal were in need of signing a centre-forward even before the injury crisis up front that severely hampered their season.
A number of forwards have been linked with the Gunners in recent weeks, including Matheus Cunha, Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko.
Now, a report has emerged claiming Arsenal are among the frontrunners to sign a striker previously described as “one of the best strikers in Europe” when firing on all cylinders.
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Arsenal and Newcastle leading the way for Randal Kolo Muani
The player in question is Randal Kolo Muani, who Arsenal were heavily linked with just a few months ago.
Mikel Arteta was offered Kolo Muani in January, but the North London club decided against the move.
However, Kolo Muani is back in Arsenal’s sights, as confirmed by TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey.
And now, Tuttojuve have reported that Arsenal are ‘leading the way’ for Kolo Muani along with Newcastle United.
Juventus are said to be unsure about signing Kolo Muani permanently, because they’d have to pay parent club Paris Saint-Germain a hefty fee.
PSG want to recoup as much as they can of the £77million fee they paid Eintracht Frankfurt for his services in 2023.
What Randal Kolo Muani could bring to Arsenal
Arsenal need a focal point in attack, an out-and-out centre-forward whose sole job is to get goals, and Kolo Muani would tick these boxes.
The official Bundesliga website compared Kolo Muani to France legend Thierry Henry in 2023.
‘Much like Kolo Muani, legendary France striker Henry started his career by impressing with his pace and trickery out wide before being repurposed as a centre-forward,’ they wrote.
‘Both players also clock in around the 6ft 2in mark and cut very similar, rangy figures.
‘Kolo Muani also has a languid dribbling style and immense turn of speed that were hallmarks of Henry’s game – especially at a young age.
‘He bears similar strength on the ball and a cheekiness to his play that will leave Bundesliga defenders both in his wake and cutting frustrated figures.’
Meanwhile, France teammate Matteo Guendouzi said in November last year, as per Le10 Sport: “Randal, he has the qualities. A confident Randal is one of the best strikers in Europe.”
Kylian Mbappe was asked about Kolo Muani in wake of France’s 4-0 win over the Netherlands in March 2023, and he too sung his praises.
“He is a striker who offers different game options to our team,” the Real Madrid striker said. “He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play.”
