When Andrea Berta officially starts his role as Arsenal's new sporting director, the pressure will be on immediately to deliver a successful transfer window.
The last couple of windows have been a bit of a disaster for the Gunners, failing to sign anyone in the winter and bringing in the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino last summer.
Merino has performed admirably as a centre-forward in the absence of Kai Havertz through injury while Calafiori clearly has plenty of potential, just can't stay off the treatment table.
Mikel Merino as a striker at Arsenal
There has been an alarming lack of a striker and that's where Berta's primary focus must be when the market opens in June.
Arsenal's hunt for a new striker
Last summer the Gunners allegedly looked at bringing RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko to the Emirates Stadium but failed in their endeavours when the Slovenian signed a new contract with the Bundesliga club.
Sesko-Leipzig
Reports have suggested he will choose Arsenal if he decides to depart Germany this summer but who are the alternatives for Berta and Co?
Alex Isak is the biggest talking point but is unlikely to depart given Newcastle's £150m asking price. Matheus Cunha of Wolves has been linked in recent weeks and Victor Osimhen is another name touted with a switch to English football.
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In this instance, however, it's Hugo Ekitike. That comes courtesy of a report from journalist Graeme Bailey who reported on Thursday that Arsenal have begun talks to sign the French striker from Frankfurt this summer.
Frankfurt have only just lost Omar Marmoush to Manchester City but could have another highly-rated forward stolen away from them.
The report states that 'Arsenal have asked to be kept informed' about Ekitike's situation in Germany having already held 'preliminary discussions to sign the striker'.
Valued at around £70m, Liverpool and Aston Villa have also asked to be kept up to date with the player's availability heading into the next transfer window.
Huge Ekitike: How he compares to Thierry Henry
Whoever the leading centre-forward at Arsenal is, they're always going to get compared to the great Thierry Henry.
The French superstar departed the Emirates as the club's all-time leading goalscorer having found the net on 228 occasions in Arsenal colours.
Since then, it's been a case of trial and error. Robin van Persie, a multiple Premier League Golden Boot winner, lit up north London, Alexis Sanchez did similar and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also ended one campaign as the Premier League's top marksman.
However, for every Van Persie and Sanchez, there has been a Marouane Chamakh, a laboured Alexandre Lacazette and an injury-prone Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus and Havertz are currently out for the season, only heightening the need for a new striker and they could find just the man they're looking for in Ekitike.
hugo-ekitike-frankfurt
The scorer of 19 goals in 38 games this term, the French sensation has notably been described as "the next Kylian Mbappe" by the aforementioned Bailey while scout Jacek Kulig has suggested that the 22-year-old's most similar player is Henry. Not bad company to be alongside, is it?
So, why the comparisons? Well, said to be "one of the best strikers out there" by data analyst Ben Mattinson, he's got pace, power, incredible movement and, importantly, he knows where the back of the net is.
Hugo Ekitike: Goal record by season
Season
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
Stats via Sofascore.
There have been few better strikers in Europe this term at stretching a defence and outsmarting them with their movement but the young French star is certainly right up there.
To rubberstamp those similarities to Henry, he ranks in the top 9% of strikers in Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries and the best 4% for successful take-ons. Ekitike also ranks among the best 15% of strikers for assists.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
Like the great World Cup winner, he doesn't just score goals but he carries the ball and creates openings not just for himself but for his teammates too. He looks like the perfect all-round package.
FBref similar players Ekitike
A great deal cheaper than Isak, Berta would be getting a similar player here without the drama of a totally ridiculous transfer fee. A win-win?
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The incredible forward would be a game-changer for Arsenal next season.