Arsenal FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: General view inside the stadium during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 09, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal are making 'regular checks' on SC Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic this season, with a three-horse Premier League transfer race beginning to brew.
The Gunners have been impressive so far this season, but have scored just eight goals in their opening five fixtures, which is five fewer than league leaders Manchester City. Brighton and Brentford, who make up the rest of the top four, have also scored more than Mikel Arteta's men.
There still remain questions over the suitability of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz to lead the line for Arsenal and those feelings could be echoed high up in the Emirates Stadium, with scouts being sent over to Germany.
Arsenal join Man Utd and Chelsea in monitoring Bundesliga striker
Igor Matanovic during Croatia vs Portugal as the 2026 World Cup
CaughtOffside reports that Arsenal have joined Manchester United and Chelsea in keeping tabs on Matanovic. The 23-year-old was already on the radar of top European sides this summer and has seen that interest grow with six goals in his first seven outings across all competitions this term.
The striker is soon to be entering his prime and is believed to be open to moving to England if SC Freiburg were to agree a transfer fee. Matanovic only arrived at the Bundesliga side in the summer of 2025 and is under contract until 2029.
A fee of around £50 million is touted for any potential interest, a benchmark set by Freiburg's sale of Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa for that price this summer. The German side paid just over £5 million to sign the talisman ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Igor Matanovic 2026/27 stats -
Appearances 7
Minutes 492
Goals 6
Assists 2
Yellow Cards / Red Cards 0 / 0
Matanovic handed 4/10 rating against England
Ignor Matanovic in action for Croatia vs Portugal
Matanovic is a fully fledged Croatian international and played 45 minutes as the nation was handed a 7-0 drubbing by England on Saturday night. The striker came on at half time with Croatia already 4-0 down thanks to a rampant Three Lions first half.
Croatian outlet 24 Sata handed the striker a lowly 4/10 rating for his efforts on Saturday, but only goalkeeper Dominik Livaković was afforded a higher mark with a 5/10.
The outlet wrote: "Physically, he gave the big English centre-backs a bit more trouble and held up the ball better than Musa. However, he did not influence the course of the match."
The striker's failure to score against England will not be too much cause for concern. The forward has two international goals to his name and is yet to claim the number one spot under Slaven Bilić.
Bilic labelled the forward as 'very good' in a performance against Czechia just last month. Matanovic had been handed minutes at the World Cup, but never started a game.
Reflecting on that experience this summer, Freiburg manager Julian Schuster said: "Matanovic only joined us during the training camp. It is evident that he learned a great deal during the World Cup, particularly by playing at a very high level. All these experiences will undoubtedly contribute to his development and maturity."