Arsenal make SHOCK decision in striker chase

Cameron Smith

7 Apr 2025 11:45 BST
6 min read

Arsenal are reportedly set to target a summer move for Blackburn Rovers forward Harvey Higgins as their pursuit of a new striker takes a surprise turn.

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The Gunners are actively searching to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking roster this summer and FootballTransfers understands that two centre forwards could arrive at the Emirates Stadium ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Current ETV

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Sporting CP

ETV Range

€67.3M - €82.3M

Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak and Ollie Watkins are all on Arsenal’s radar, although the club are also monitoring the progress of Higgins at Blackburn.

That is according to The Sun, who claim that his performances in the England youth set-up have “alerted” Arsenal.

The Gunners are reportedly hoping to finalise an agreement to sign Higgins “within weeks” and Blackburn will only receive compensation for the teenager as he is yet to sign his first professional contract with the club due to his age.

Higgins has scored one goal in six appearances in the U18 Premier League so far this season, and he has frequently been compared to Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy in recent months.

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A post shared by Harvey Higgins (@harvey_higgins7)

Arsenal to sign a new striker

Although Arsenal are eager to bring Higgins to the Emirates Stadium this summer, he will almost certainly join up with the club’s youth teams, rather than play in the senior side, if the Gunners are able to finalise a deal.

The 16-year-old is yet to make his first-team debut for Blackburn and Arsenal would likely give him plenty of time to develop in their famed academy before trusting him with minutes in Mikel Arteta’s side.

As a result, Arsenal are still expected to sign a big-name striker this summer, with the club set to engage in advanced talks with Gyokeres’ representatives over the next few weeks.

Sesko, Isak and Watkins are also being monitored by the north London outfit, although their focus appears to have shifted towards Gyokeres since the appointment of Andrea Berta as the club’s new sporting director.