Here’s a confession. I don’t know a lot about Adam Szalai, Arsenal’s latest transfer target. I doubt that many of the people who read and comment on this particular piece will be able to claim any differently. That’s probably not the best way to begin, but there we go…
According to The Express, Arsenal could make a move for the Mainz 05 striker during the January transfer window. This is just weeks after the club established strong links with Schalke 04’s goal ace, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (only for the Dutchman to sign a new deal with his current club). It appears that Arsene Wenger is intent on snapping up a striker from a Bundesliga club with a number in their name.
One thing I do know is this: Arsenal need another striker. That, to me, is almost an objective fact. Robin Van Persie was the club’s main source of goals last season, and his sale has created a void that has been hard for Arsenal to fill.
Whether you like Olivier Giroud, or think he’s a lumpy, useless bag-of-bones, with all the mobility of your average sack-race competitor, you have to admit: he’s no RVP. Neither is Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott or Gervinho for that moment. Indeed, Gervinho is something of a bizarro-universe RVP. Everything that the Dutchman gets right, the Ivorian gets wrong. That’s to say, he can’t score, he can’t pick out a pass and he can’t beat his man (despite his pace).
But we’re not here to slag off one of the Gunners most hard-working players. We’re here to line up a solution.
I may not know how to pronounce his name, but Adam Szalai has a pretty decent goal-scoring record. 11 goals in 20 appearances has seen him push Mainz 05 up to 6th in the Bundesliga table (above Schalke!)
He’s a product of Real Madrid’s reserve team, but at 25-years-old, really seems to be hitting his stride. The 6’4” striker is physically adept and I’m sure he’d fit into the Premier League nicely.
Mainz’s manager, Christian Heidel has been quoted as saying the following: “There is definitely no interest. For no amount of money would we sell him now…” He then says, “if someone came to us with 20 million…”, hinting that he WOULD sell for the right money. (Source: Bild via 101 great goals).
Judging solely on the basis of his career statistics, he’s not yet worth that kind of money. He is, however, a goal-scorer and if the Gunners can cut down his price-tag, he’s probably worth a plump.
What’s your take? Should Arsenal be in the market for Adam Szalai?
Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
No, no and no. He’s a very similar type of player to Giroud but nowhere near as good as giroud.
Watching giroud live rather than on tv you can see that his positioning and movement off the ball is excellent, give him time and he’ll prove his worth.
Its not £ its €. The manager also says there has been “no interest” so why do you say Arsenal are interested.
this guy is really good he was at real madri. he is rated as the 5th most efficent striker in the european top 5 leauge(infront of ronaldo)
New fresh players at Arsenal, dream on!!! The fool of a manager and his total useless board just fools us fans in every transfer window. Arsenal is linked with a enourmous number of players, but no one will come because of their fucking stupid transfer policy. I’m so tired of this useless people with no ambitions for the club. Wenger must leave, and he must take the fucking board with him. We are no longer a big football club, we are clowns! Dam this greedy idiotes!!!
This is not gonna happen.
We will not buy a player in January, mark my words we will struggle to make it to the end with the insufficient squad we have.
I’m surprised how can our manager be so confident of making it to top four after the show we put on last weekend.
Arsene Wenger is a selfish man. He doesn’t care the hell of disappointments Arsenal fans are going through. He thinks he sees better than us. If it was a political party in an African continent this strategy could have worked for him. But alas! after all that achievement at Arsenal Wenger will leave the Emirates a villain.