Arsenal are interested in signing Lorient attacker Alexis Claude-Maurice, according to the Daily Mirror.
The newspaper claim in their live transfer blog [Saturday, 10:47am] that any move for the 20-year-old – who has scored 14 goals in Ligue 2 this term – would cost around £9million.
The Daily Mirror’s report also says that the Gunners have made regular checks on the France Under-20 international this season and are ready to make a swoop now that the transfer window has opened.
Good move for Arsenal?
Definitely. For £9million, this striker could be an absolute steal. We’ve seen with Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante how low-profile transfers of players playing in the lower French league can turn out to become great deals. While there is nothing concrete to suggest that Claude-Maurice could turn out this way yet, he could certainly have the chance to prove it. With Danny Welbeck set to leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the season, Arsenal need new backup for top strike pair Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. If Claude-Maurice is signed, he could prove to very good in this role.
This is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
There is a good chance. As has been mentioned, Arsenal are in need of a backup striker after letting go of Welbeck and Claude-Maurice has certainly shown in Ligue 2 this term that he has an eye for goal. Even if he signed as investment for the future, £9million is not a bad price to go for and get him in.
This is Futbol rating 7/10