Why Arsenal may have to swallow their pride to sign the perfect Lacazette replacement this summer
FT Desk
- 29 Mar 2022 16:35 BST
- 8 min read
Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers ahead of a summer transfer window that will surely see the club buy a long-term replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.
The French striker is expected to leave the club when his contract comes to an end in a few months time, and as such just about very top striker in Europe has had his name mentioned in the same breath as the London club.
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However, if Arsenal aren’t too keen on breaking the bank this summer and would prefer to bring in a smart, inexpensive signing then there’s one player in particular who could fit the bill in the Bundesliga.
Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, including Borussia Dortmund, West Ham and some top sides in Italy. And in many ways he would fit the bill at Arsenal too.
Of course, nothing in football comes for free. And if Arsenal really want to sign the towering talent, they may need to swallow their pride and discuss terms with someone who left the club under mysterious circumstances.
Why Arsenal need to sign Kalajdzic
Although the towering striker spent much of this season out of action with an unfortunate, long-term injury, he’s now back in action for Stuttgart and looks like his old self.
Indeed, in his last four Bundesliga games for the Swabian club, Kalajdzic has bagged no less than two goals and two assists and helped his side turn their season around in the nick of time.
Of course, that will come as no surprise to Bundesliga fans, who watched the young Austrian talent tear up the German top flight last season. In total, the striker has scored 19 goals and provided a further eight assists in just eight Bundesliga games, which works out at around 0.85 goals and assists per 90 minutes for the relegation-threatened side.
What makes Kalajdzic all the more appealing to a club like Arsenal aside from his obvious talent is the fact that the striker’s contract is up in 2023 and will surely be sold this summer.
Would they be able to buy him this summer?
However, one problem standing in Arsenal’s way is the fact that the one man that would have to accept and sign off on any offer from the London club for the striker is none other than Stuttgart sporting director Sven Mislintat, who doesn’t have the friendliest relationship with the club.
In 2017 Mislintat was hired by the English club to become their Head of Scouting, but was reportedly forced to resign 18 months later when he was all but forced out by Arsenal appointing Edu as their own sporting director.
However, if Mislintat and his former employers can maintain a professional relationship, there are plenty of suggestions that a deal could be struck. Just this week, the Stuttgart boss admitted that his club would have to seriously consider offers for the striker.
"We have always emphasised that when there are offers, we sit down with the player in question to find the best solution for VfB and the player," said Mislintat. All that needs to happen now is for Arsenal to make a move.
