Five centre forwards Arsenal can sign in the summer

While much of Arsenal’s recent work in the transfer market has been shrewd, the Gunners have been conspicuous by their inability to bring a top-class striker to the club in recent years.

While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the best centre-forward the club have signed in the last decade, his arrival came before Arsenal were ready to launch a title challenge, and it’s been a weakness for the club for the last three years.

Gabriel Jesus arrived in 2022 but wasn’t clinical enough in front of goal to be relied upon as a starting centre forward, prompting the move for Kai Havertz the following summer.

While the German has contributed admirably with 22 Premier League goals in 58 games, he’s still a level below what is required for the Gunners to take the final step and win the title.

Below, we look at five potential forwards the Gunners can sign in the summer.

Alexander Isak

Over the last 18 months, Alexander Isak has established himself as one of the game's premier strikers with Newcastle, and the club may face a challenge to keep hold of the Sweden international.

The biggest stumbling block for Arsenal is likely the asking price. Newcastle paid around £63m to secure Isak’s services, and they’ll want more than double that to let go of their star striker, if they’ll agree to a sale at all.

Although Isak has had occasional injury issues with Newcastle, he’s still cleared 20 goals in his last two campaigns and could be the final piece of the puzzle for Mikel Arteta.

Isak is 12/1 to join Arsenal in the summer.

Viktor Gyokeres

Considering the lofty asking price, Arsenal may turn their attentions from Isak to Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sporting CP centre forward showed plenty of promise in the Championship with Coventry, but has blossomed into a top-class striker following his move to Portugal.

In his maiden campaign, Gyokeres scored 29 goals in 33 games en route to the Primeira Liga title, and has 31 in 28 so far this term.

It may be that Gyokeres’s time in Portugal is coming to an end, and he’s 7/4 to be an Arsenal player next term.

Matheus Cunha

After a bedding-in period following his January move, Matheus Cunha stepped things up a notch for Wolves, and it quickly became clear his long-term future lay elsewhere.

The 25-year-old, who had been linked with a move to Manchester United before joining Wolves, recently suggested on social media that he expects to leave before too long, and he’ll likely be plying his trade for a club bidding for European football next season.

Newcastle could do with more depth up front, while Manchester United desperately need a centre forward. While Arsenal have made Gyokeres their number one target, Cunha is unlikely to be too far from their radar, and the Gunners are 13/2 to sign the Brazilian.

Victor Osimhen

After firing Napoli to the 2022/23 Serie A title with his 26 goals, Victor Osimhen had a very public falling out with the club and has spent this season on loan with Galatasaray, where he’s scored 21 goals in 24 games.

The Nigerian is likely to be courted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs again in the summer, and while Chelsea appears a more likely destination, Osimhen would fill Arsenal’s need for an out-and-out goalscorer.

Arsenal are 6/1 to sign Osimhen in the summer.

Liam Delap

Liam Delap’s superb debut season in the Premier League has been enough to ensure he remains there next season, but with Ipswich set for relegation, it’ll mean another summer transfer for the 21-year-old.

Delap’s 12 goals in a struggling Ipswich side have been hugely impressive, with the centre forward’s physicality posing problems for defenders up and down the country.

Chelsea have made Delap a priority, and a move to Stamford Bridge looks to be on the cards, and while Arsenal will be shopping in a more expensive market, it’s not impossible they try sign Delap as well as a second striker.

Delap in 10/1 to move to Arsenal in the summer.

All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.