Deal close: Fabrizio Romano shares what he’s now hearing about “incredible” £43m winger signing for Arsenal in few days
Deal close: Fabrizio Romano shares what he’s now hearing about “incredible” £43m winger signing for Arsenal in few days
Johan Bakayoko, a winger for PSV Eindhoven, is still not a target for Arsenal, as Fabrizio Romano exclusively told GIVEMESPORT. While other clubs are keeping an eye on Bakayoko this summer, the Gunners are still weighing their options.
According to Romano, the 21-year-old is among the best wingers on the market. After yet another fantastic season in the Eredivisie, Bakayoko, who is presently focused on Euro 2024 with Belgium and has been dubbed “incredible” by colleague Romelu Lukaku, is looking forward to a busy summer.
Liverpool had already expressed interest in the right-winger. Arne Slot, the new manager, is familiar with Bakayoko from his time in the Netherlands. The Premier League is rumored to be interested in the 21-year-old for a second straight summer, with a price tag of £43 million. Prior to the Clarets’ Premier League comeback, he had previously told the media that former Burnley manager Vincent Kompany had called him and “explained his vision.”
Along with players like Jeremy Doku and Lois Openda, Bakayoko, who made his PSV first-team debut in 2022, is regarded as one of the best Belgian prospects. Romano, though, asserts that it is “still early” to make assumptions on his potential summer transfer to Arsenal. The Gunners are waiting to decide whether to add another wide forward to their roster, which already includes Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Bukayo Saka.
Deal with Bakayoko “Not Imminent”
The Gunners are proceeding slowly. Speaking to GMS, Romano asserts that Bakayoko’s contract with Arsenal is “not something imminent,” in contrast to previous reports: “I saw these connections, but I don’t currently have any proof that anything is progressing or solid between Arsenal and Bakayoko. Numerous clubs have scouted him. Without a doubt, he is among the most gifted wingers on the market. It’s still early, though, as Arsenal hasn’t begun formal negotiations with the player or the team over Bakayoko yet. I believe Arsenal will deliberate carefully before making a decision about that position. However, Bakayoko does not currently see it as something that is close or imminent.
Mikel Arteta’s team is looking forward to investing more money this summer after coming up just short of winning the Premier League. Declan Rice’s arrival last year smashed the Gunners’ transfer record, and even with a quiet start to the summer, they might still welcome big-money additions.
After Belgium advanced to the Round of 16 at Euro 2024, Bakayoko’s future will most likely be settled. After an outstanding season with PSV, where he scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 33 Eredivisie games, the 21-year-old was called up for the first time to a big event.
Stats for Johan Bakayoko (2023–24) Competition Games Goals Assists The Eredivisie 33 12 9 Champions League 8 1 1 Qualifications for the Champions League 4 0 4 KNVB TOTO Beker 2 1 0 Johan Cruijff Schaal 1 0 0
Eddie Nketiah Is Leaving in the Summer
It appears that his days at the Emirates are finished. According to writer Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports, Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal is “very likely” to leave the Emirates this summer, as GIVEMESPORT has learned. Under manager Mikel Arteta, the 25-year-old had a challenging season with little playing time and poor goal-scoring performance—just five goals in 27 league games. Nketiah is apparently being pursued by a number of Premier League teams this summer, including Wolves, Crystal Palace, and Fulham. Meanwhile, Arsenal is looking to add an attacker to expand their options before the new campaign begins.
