Arsenal appear set to miss out on the arrival of a new striker today…
What’s the word?
That’s according to football.london journalist Kaya Kaynak, who revealed a fresh twist in their hunt for a new frontman as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrives in Barcelona to complete a loan move to the LaLiga giants.
“Understand that Raul de Tomas to #AFC is now very unlikely this late in the window,” he said on Twitter.
“Aubameyang to Barcelona looking likely to go ahead, Nketiah staying as things stand and Edu still pushing for a late incoming deal.”
Worrying signs
As the Gunners appear to be on the verge of sanctioning their sixth exit this window, they are still yet to make any form of signing themselves – and that is a huge cause for concern for manager Mikel Arteta, who was spotted with owner Stan Kroenke last week in a bid to raise funds to bolster the squad.
There seems no way back for Aubameyang after being stripped of the captaincy following a behind-scenes disciplinary breach last month. He hasn’t featured since early December.
Meanwhile, both of Arteta’s other options in the role – Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah – are out of contract in the summer and seem unlikely to be signed to fresh terms, meaning the Spanish head coach could be without any senior striker come next season.
They have tried to bring someone in but to no avail.
Fiorentina’s marksman Dusan Vlahovic rejected the north Londoners in favour of Juventus. Lille’s Jonathan David doesn’t seem as if he will move until the summer, whilst Alexander Isak reportedly has doubts about a switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Now, football.london suggest that they have missed out on another forward in Espanyol talisman Raul de Tomas. It’s blow after blow this month, and that’ll surely leave Arteta a little anxious, if not absolutely livid.
There is a place in the top-four at risk and Arsenal have a serious lack of squad depth.
AND in other news, David Ornstein has bad news for Arsenal fans on deadline day…