Confirmed: Arsenal can sign perfect Gabriel Jesus competition for FREE

Robin Bairner

• 13 Apr 2023 14:28 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal will go into the summer transfer market with the aim of signing a centre-forward to offer competition to Gabriel Jesus.

Mikel Arteta has had to juggle stop-gap options in the early months of 2023 because of an injury to the Brazil international, but while Leandro Trossard has performed the role admirably, there is little doubt that the Gunners needs more in reserve as they eye up a return to the Champions League – and another run for the Premier League title – in 2023/24.

They will, therefore, have taken note of comments made by Borussia Monchengladbach director Ronald Virkus on Thursday.

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“Ramy Bensebaini and Marcus Thuram will leave the club as free agents in June,” he declared.

The news that the 25-yearold Thuram will leave the club in the summer should spark a renewed push from the Gunners to sign the versatile France international attacker, who has scored 13 goals in the Bundesliga this season having been moved into a centre-forward role.

Chelsea and Manchester United are other leading Premier League clubs thought to be monitoring the situation.

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Indeed, according to data analytics experts SciSports, Arsenal would be an excellent destination for Thuram.

He would find a playing style at the Emirates Stadium similar to the one that he is familiar with in Germany, while playing under the guidance of Arteta would provide him with the opportunity to develop him game on an individual basis.

From the club’s perspective, he is clearly a stronger alternative to Eddie Nketiah.

He may have gone a little cold since the World Cup – three goals in 11 games – but the possibility of signing him for nothing should be one that appeals to the Gunners, whose primary object this summer, FootballTransfers understands, is to strengthen their midfield.

Arsenal’s Thuram competition

The competition is likely to be great for Thuram, who will be seen as a low-cost, low-risk transfer option for many leading clubs around Europe, but particularly in the Premier League.

Indeed, Aston Villa actually emerge as his ideal destination given they would be able to offer ore playing time than Arsenal and also have a formation that he is more familiar in playing. Similarly, West Ham could be an interesting move – assuming they stay up, of course.

Manchester City and Newcastle, potentially two clubs who will be playing with Arsenal in the Champions League next season are also seen as good alternatives for the Parma-born star and perhaps would offer the most serious competition if they were to move.