Arsenal’s bargain alternative to Osimhen and Gyokeres? Isak clone Arteta’s perfect solution

Robin Bairner

Updated: 21 Aug 2024 07:30 BST
7 min read

Arsenal are going into the final days of the transfer window without having signed the centre-forward that Mikel Arteta craves.

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Viktor Osimhen and Victor Gyokeres are two names that continue to be linked with the Emirates club, but one figure who was prominent in their thinking earlier in the transfer window was Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

While the Magpies’ financial position was uncertain in June, Arsenal were linked with a move for the Sweden international. Ultimately, their interest faded once it became clear Newcastle were on a sound footing, although according to Football.London, there is still some “hope” of landing the striker, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €71.7 million.

Realistically, though, Arsenal will be seeking other alternatives.

One viable option is Lille striker Jonathan David, who gave the world a reminder of his talents in a 2-0 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League playoffs on Tuesday. He scored his side’s opening goal in that encounter with a smart finish from inside the box. It was already his third strike in four matches this season.

David finished Ligue 1 last season as the best-performing centre-forward on the statistical model constructed by data analytics firm SciSports, while FBRef notes that Isak is one of the five players most comparable to the 24-year-old.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer rumours

Jonathan David vs Ligue 1 strikers: 2023/24

Arsenal have previous interest

Intriguingly, Arsenal have previously tried to sign David. Four years ago, though, he elected to move to Lille ahead of the Premier League club, citing better development opportunities. Coming off a campaign in which he scored 26 goals and created nine more, though, he is ready to take the next step.

The timing appears perfect, too. David is out of contract next summer and is, therefore, liable to be relatively cheap.

Speaking after the midweek game, the Canada international was asked about the prospect of extending his deal at Lille.

“Is it what I want? It’s not exactly clear. I have to think. That’s why we’ve not talked about it yet,” David said, having previously spoken of his dream to play in the Champions League.

Current ETV

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

Jonathan David

F (C)

Lille

ETV Range

€32.6M - €54.3M

Lille have been asking for a fee of around €50 million, yet this is not out of step with his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €43.5m.

This figure is around half the price the Gunners would have to pay for either Osimhen or Gyokeres. SciSports, meanwhile, indicates that David is around the same quality as the Nigerian and significantly stroker than the Swede.

If Arteta is serious about investing in a forward before the end of the window, he could therefore do well to look at David.