rewrite this title Arsenal hold early talks to sign £50m striker likened to Neymar and Mbappe

Arsenal have held preliminary talks over signing a striker who’s drawn comparisons with Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer Neymar and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé, with the player’s exceptional 2024/2025 turning heads at the Emirates Stadium.

Andrea Berta appointment made as Arsenal target striker

The arrival of new sporting director Andrea Berta, who signed around 20 days ago before an official announcement was even made (Fabrizio Romano), has resulted in excitement for Arsenal’s next transfer window.

During his 12-year stay at Atlético Madrid, before he departed the La Liga side in January, Berta played a key role in facilitating some truly genius transfer deals. Berta sold Antoine Griezmann to Barcelona for around £107 million, only to eventually bring him back for just £34 million and make a £73 million profit off the Frenchman as a result.

He also re-signed current Balon d’Or holder Rodri for just £21.5 million from Villarreal after initially deciding to let him leave Atlético, with Man City eventually forking out his £62.8 million release clause and registering another handsome profit for Atlético.

Berta also oversaw the arrivals of club legends like midfielder Marcos Llorente, winger Yannick Carrasco and goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who all went on to be exceptional mainstays for Diego Simeone.

The 53-year-old has a proven track record when it comes to recruitment, and he is now set to back Mikel Arteta in the summer. Some reports even suggest that Berta could spend up to £300 million on seven new signings for Arsenal, including a striker, so all eyes are on the next transfer window after the Italian’s arrival.

One of Berta’s key tasks is to bring in a prolific number nine who can take Arteta’s side to the next level, especially following long-term injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak remains a top target for Arsenal, but reports claim Eddie Howe’s side could demand as much as £150 million to sell their star striker, and it is very unlikely overall that the Swede will leave St. James’ Park this summer.

Arsenal hold initial talks over signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké

As per The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké is gaining more traction as a realistic alternative to Isak.

The Frenchman has been in fine form since swapping PSG for the Bundesliga, scoring 19 goals and registering eight assists in 38 outings across all competitions, and elite Premier League sides are taking real notice.

As per TBR, Arsenal have held “preliminary” talks over signing Ekitike, and have asked to be kept informed on his situation at Eintracht. However, the Gunners are by no means alone, and they face stiff competition from Liverpool, Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

While Eintract are demanding around £70 million, intermediaries have apparently let clubs know that a deal could actually be done for around £50 million.

The 22-year-old is one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards, with former Inter Milan and Netherlands international star, Wesley Sneijder, likening Ekitike to Neymar and Mbappé.

“I might say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway: I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so,” said Sneijder.

“He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé. To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”