Arsenal are planning a shock move for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
The Gunners failed to add to their squad in the recently concluded January transfer window, despite their forward areas being hit with injury problems. Bukayo Saka is expected to be out until April after undergoing hamstring surgery, while Gabriel Jesus’ season is over following an ACL injury to his knee in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United last month.
To make matters worse, Gabriel Martinelli was forced off with a hamstring issue in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United at St James’ Park last week. While Arsenal have bowed out of the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, they are still alive in the Champions League as well as competing for the Premier League title.
Another transfer window came and went without Mikel Arteta adding a new striker to his offensive unit. The lack of a ruthless striker is widely viewed as the North Londoners’ most pressing need, with Mikel Arteta himself revealing his disappointment at the club’s failure in the winter market. They had a bid for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins rejected in the final days of the transfer window, while a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko was also explored.
Nonetheless, Arteta and Co. have now reportedly shifted their focus toward acquiring the services of Liverpool star Diogo Jota. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has seemingly grown frustrated with the Portugal international’s injury record and current Premier League leaders would be willing to sell him at the end of the season for the right price. While the Reds are reluctant to sell to a rival and strengthen them, they could be persuaded to do so.
Arsenal could do with a player of Diogo Jota’s quality and experience
Since his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Liverpool, Jota has been a fine goalscorer. 64 goals and 21 assists in 166 games for the Reds are healthy numbers for a striker, despite injury problems plaguing his career in the last few seasons.
The 28-year-old has often been impactful off the bench when called upon, scoring several goals or producing decisive moments to help the team earn valuable points. However, Slot is planning a massive revamp of his squad, particularly in attack, and has placed Jota on the chopping block alongside South American duo Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
Jota’s potential availability has put Arsenal on red alert, with Arteta in desperate need of a clinical goalscorer in his ranks owing to Jesus’ long-term injury and the sale of Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace in 2024. While Kai Havertz has chipped in with goals, he is not a natural goalscorer by any means.
If Jota can manage to maintain his fitness, there are no doubts over him becoming an asset to Arsenal and fulfilling Arteta’s need for a pure goalscorer if a summer move materialises.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
