Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants the club to sign Brentford striker Igor Thiago, according to Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte.
The Gunners ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title last month, and they will be determined to defend their crown next season.
Arteta may want attacking reinforcements this summer, and the left-wing department could be the prime area of focus for the club’s hierarchy.
However, RTI Esporte claim that the Gunners manager would like to sign a new striker instead, and Thiago has become the number one priority.
Arteta believes Thiago is a player capable of ‘raising the technical level’ of the Gunners’ attack.
Thiago’s ability to act as a target man, combined with his high pressing and finishing, are some attributes that appeal to the Spanish tactician.
Arsenal have been fancied to compete with Manchester United for the 24-year-old. The Red Devils are monitoring his situation, as of now.
Brentford acknowledge that it could be difficult to keep their prized asset beyond the summer.
Arsenal may struggle to convince Thiago to make a move
The Brazilian star joined Brentford in the summer of 2024. He had a difficult debut season hampered by multiple long-term injury setbacks.
However, he redeemed himself with the Bees last term. Thiago netted 25 goals from 40 appearances, with 22 of those coming in the Premier League.
The former Club Brugge man caught the eye with his strong aerial presence upfront. He won almost three aerial duels per appearance for Brentford.
He was also brilliant with his hold-up play and had a shot-to-goal conversion rate of 26 percent, a figure which suggests that he is a genuine goalgetter.
Thiago would be a top-class signing for the Gunners, but the big concern is whether they can persuade the striker to make the move across London.
Gabriel Jesus looks likely to leave Arsenal this summer, but the club still have two fantastic strikers in Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres in their ranks.
Barring one of the duo leaving, which seems unlikely, Thiago may struggle to secure a consistent starting role for the Gunners under Arteta next term.
Arsenal have the funds to afford the striker, who could easily cost £70-80m in the current transfer market, but persuading him to join could be a bigger challenge.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com