The striker situation at Arsenal continues to dominate discussions surrounding the transfers both in the upcoming January window and looking ahead to the summer.
This is understandable considering three Arsenal strikers could be on the move in the coming months. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah both see their contracts expire at the end of the season and could move for a cut-price deal this January should a club tempt the Gunners into parting ways early.
Furthermore, Folarin Balogun desperately needs greater tests than the U23s league can currently muster. A loan will be the likely path considering first-team opportunities are limited.
However, the Gunners have been linked with a new striker of late and the latest information surfacing confirming the club have made an offer helps detail the likely pathway for Arsenal’s strikers next season.
Ianis Stoica, an 18-year-old Romanian striker playing for FCSB has cropped up amongst the transfer mill over the last week-plus.
Initially, MM Stoica, FSCB sporting director and of no relation to Ianis, batted away the reports.
“In order for Arsenal to be interested, Arsenal must send an email, a fax, something. What appears, what is written, I can’t comment on these. We have nothing, we have [received] no interest from Arsenal,” he said speaking on Telekom Sport.
However, since then club owner Gigi Becali confirmed that Arsenal have made an offer but it was yet to meet their valuation.
“I currently have 7.5 million euros on Ianis Stoica.” He said speaking to as.ro.
(Image: Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
When asked by as.ro reporter if the offer was from Arsenal, he confirmed the north London side were indeed those that had made the proposal.
“Yes. And I want 10 million plus 20%,” he replied referencing a future sell-on clause.
Theoretically were Arsenal to secure the signing of Stoica they would have four young forwards in the summer of 2022. However to acquire the striker their bid, which converts to approximately £6.4m, will need to be increased.
(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The aforementioned Balogun plus Mika Biereth and Nikolaj Moller, currently on loan in Germany with Viktoria Koln, would be joined by the Romanian.
football.london understands that Biereth is to be gradually integrated into the senior setup this season prior to a view of a loan to a senior side for 2022/23.
Moller has struggled in Germany and will likely return to reintegrate into the under 23s with Balogun expected to either leave on loan or replace Eddie Nketiah in the senior squad.
Dependant upon if Stoica was to arrive and impress he could see a similar acceleration into the senior squad as shown by Gabriel Martinelli.
However, a likely outcome is he would take the place of Biereth in the youth side to acclimatise to the club.
Arsenal are making big moves for their senior side in the market but these reports are encouraging that much is still taking place with improving the cohort of quality youth that sits second in the PL2 table.
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