As rumours continue to arrive over Arsenal's summer transfer plans, new sporting director Andrea Berta is now reportedly keeping a close eye on a somewhat cheaper attacking option who has scored 25 goals this season.
Arsenal looking to ease goalscoring woes
Whilst it's easy to list the absurd number of injuries that Arsenal have suffered throughout the current campaign, their Premier League form since the return of Bukayo Saka has highlighted their clear problems for all to see. And Berta must address those issues in his first summer in charge.
Arsenal's last 5 Premier League games
Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace
Ipswich Town 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford
Everton 1-1 Arsenal
Even though their form has come at a time when the Premier League title has drifted away from them and into Liverpool's grasp as official champions, Arsenal still have Champions League qualification to worry about. Mikel Arteta, with three games to go, simply has to seal a place in the top five amid concerns that a disappointing campaign could still turn disastrous.
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The £100m-rated star would be a game-changer for Arsenal.
The Spaniard recently had his say on Liverpool's title win and the Gunners' failure, telling reporters: "Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons. With the points of the past two season we have two Premier League [titles]."
What would certainly help ensure that Arsenal are in the right moment in the right place, however, is the arrival of a pure goalscorer this summer. Amid links to the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko, those in North London must get things right this summer and solve Arteta's greatest problem.
Alexander-Isak
Meanwhile, if it's a question of money, then Berta may yet turn towards a cheaper options who could turn into the summer's best bargain if all goes to plan.
Arsenal plotting £34m Patrik Schick move
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are now plotting a move to sign Patrik Schick from Bayer Leverkusen this summer with Berta keeping a close eye on the Czech Republic forward. Valued at around €40m (£34m) by the Bundesliga club, the Gunners could swoop in and solve their attacking problems for far cheaper than if they signed Isak or Sesko.
Despite his bargain price, Schick has enjoyed a season worthy of a far higher valuation - scoring 25 goals in all competitions - and could yet prove that in the Premier League. At 29 years old, the only concern for Arsenal should be his age, but as Chris Wood has proved at Nottingham Forest this season, players are more than capable of making the difference even when outside of what are considered prime years.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref) Patrik Schick Leandro Trossard
Minutes 1,562 2,354
Goals 19 8
Assists 0 5
Expected Goals 11.5 6.8
Smashing his expected goals in the Bundesliga this season, Schick is the pure goalscorer that Arsenal have so desperately lacked all season. His name wouldn't steal the same headlines as an Isak or Sesko, but he would arguably be just as clinical. Previously dubbed "great" by former Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo, Schick is one to watch this summer.