Kai Havertz's recent purple patch in front of goal for Arsenal has inspired the Gunners to rethink their transfer plans for the coming summer.
Before the Germany international started the finding the net regularly, it was widely believed that Mikel Arteta felt a new striker would be a priority in the summer window. It had been reported by many that Arsenal were planning to prowl the market for someone to both serve as back-up and compete with current No. 9 Gabriel Jesus, but that may no longer be the case.
Arsenal may still sign a new striker, but the calibre and experience of their new man may take some by surprise. Now that Havertz has emerged as a new source of regular goals, with five in his last seven, Mirror Football understands Arteta may opt for a younger player who can have time to develop and mature.
This would be a significant change from the kind of strikers Arsenal were initially being linked with, like Brentford's Ivan Toney. The Bees are demanding a hefty figure before they part ways with their talisman, which means any move to the Emirates for the England international is now unlikely.
Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres is another name often touted as being on Arteta's transfer wish-list, but his stellar season in Portugal means he is going to be far from cheap. Taking into account the fact he only made the move to Sporting last summer, the Liga NOS side aren't going to be in a position where they can be cornered into selling for next to nothing any time soon.
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Brighton ace Evan Ferguson is a young striker attracting plenty of interest and Arsenal are included in his list of admirers. However, the Seagulls are known by now for being able to get eye-watering fees for their talent and though he's the right age profile for what Arsenal now want, he could be too expensive.
In turn, the position where the north Londoners now look most likely to spend big is a winger that can provide competition for an already stacked line-up of wide attacking talent. Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard can all do stints out on the left, but more burden is placed on right-winger Bukayo Saka to star every game.
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Ivan Toney is unlikely to join Arsenal this summer (Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)There could also be a number of exits at the Emirates come the summer, with all four of Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe potentially on the move. The departures of the aforementioned quartet would go some way to generating the required funds for incomings.
For now, Arteta's full focus is likely to be on the games that await his side between now and the end of the season. With seven league fixtures left, Arsenal sit top of the Premier League. They also have a second-leg away against Bayern Munich to contest in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, after drawing 2-2 at the Emirates on Tuesday.
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