Arsenal have made a left-field transfer approach amid sporting director Andrea Berta's hunt for new forwards, with Mikel Arteta's side moving for one of Jose Mourinho's key targets for Fenerbahce.
arsenal-emirates-stadium-premier-league Related
£150k-per-week Premier League star in London after agreeing Arsenal move
Arsenal are about to make a signing.
The north Londoners want to reinforce their attacking options ahead of a potentially more fruitful Premier League title challenge next season, and new sporting director Andrea Berta has been targeting both wingers and strikers.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
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19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
Their pursuit of a number nine - likely to be one of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres as Berta remains working on both deals simultaneously - is grabbing most of the headlines, but Arsenal definitely want a new winger as well.
Real Madrid star Rodrygo is their "dream" target, according to Fabrizio Romano, but the Brazil international's £205,000-per-week wages and reported £77 million price tag make this move a difficult one to pull off, not to mention the task of convincing him to leave world football's most elite side.
Arsenal-Rodrygo
It may, however, be far easier to negotiate with Man United over a move for outcast Jadon Sancho, who are reportedly desperate to cut the Englishman's £300,000-per-week salary from their wage bill.
Arsenal make "surprise" approach for Jadon Sancho
As per CaughtOffside, in collaboration with Nigerian journalist Buchi Laba, Arsenal have made an enquiry over Sancho, which the outlet states may come as a "surprise" to some.
jadon sancho
Arteta's side are yet to follow that up with formal talks, though, with Mourinho's Fenerbahçe appearing to be in the driving seat as things stand. The Portuguese has personally spoken with Sancho about swapping England for the Turkish Süper Lig, and if the player gives his green-light, United's eagerness to sell means this won't be a difficult deal to do.
If Arsenal are to hijack this move, they'll have to move in quickly, as Fenerbahçe have also made Sancho a tempting contract offer with high wages - a proposal which he's "seriously" considering.
The 25-year-old England international finds himself at a crossroads, despite flashes of brilliance during a mixed loan spell at Chelsea. Sancho scored in their Conference League final win over Real Betis, and his overall performances in west London were enough to convince Chelsea to hold talks with the winger over making his stay permanent.
sancho-chelsea
However, they ultimately failed to reach an agreement, leaving Sancho in limbo, with a key decision set to be made on whether to leave England once again. For Arsenal, they must now decide whether to intensify their pursuit or focus all of their attention on the likes of Rodrygo.
If they do try their hand at competing for Sancho, Berta and co will likely want to negotiate a lower salary, as his current £300,000-per-week wages would make him Arsenal's highest-paid player.
There is also the added complication from Juventus, who are poised to open talks for the ex-Borussia Dortmund sensation (Sky Sports).