Arteta gives update on Arsenal's transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s resurfaced comments about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from October prove that the Gunners might choose not to pursue a loan deal for Real Madrid forward Luka Jovic. The Serbia star has reportedly been offered to Arsenal ahead of a possible loan deal.
Arsenal have apparently been offered Luka Jovic from Real Madrid (Image: GETTY)
Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract in June and do not seem unlikely to pen fresh deals any time soon.
Lacazette has been linked with Atletico Madrid while Nketiah has publicly conceded that he needs more game time.
That has led to Arsenal pursuing a new striker. They seem set to miss out on Dusan Vlahovic, with the Fiorentina star instead reportedly likely to join Juventus.
The Daily Star report that Arsenal have been offered the opportunity to sign Jovic from Madrid. A deal would involve the Gunners loaning a player whose career in Spain has failed to take off.
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Jovic has scored just three goals in 47 appearances for the LaLiga side. A move to Arsenal might help him rekindle the former he showed at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he netted 40 times in 93 games.
However, Arteta has previously suggested that he wants a striker who presses well. Jovic might not be that person.
“I wouldn't go to the goals. Again it is what Auba is transmitting on the pitch. I have never seen Auba transmit what he is doing now,” Arteta said when asked about an Aubameyang performance in October.
“Apart from the goals, the celebration when they put the ball in the net, do you see the way he runs, the purpose he has to press the ball, and, when he takes it his movement, his link, how he is leading the game, not when he is static, and then he puts the ball in the net. I prefer this Auba.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta might choose not to sign Luka Jovic (Image: GETTY)
According to Football.London, the 24-year-old ranks in just the seventh percentile for successful pressure per 90 with 2.44, and just the second for interceptions with 0.09.
Among the top percentage for the latter statistic is fellow Arsenal transfer target Lautaro Martinez.
It could be a busy few days for Arteta. Set to miss out on Vlahovic, he could instead target Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak.
However, according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are ‘struggling’ to convince the Swede to join.
