Following reports that top goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has held off in signing an extension deal with Arsenal, the club has started on hunting for a replacement and possibly found a candidate in France. Said to be on the sight of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is Amiens ace Serhou Guirassy, who is tipped to leave the Ligue 1 side in the summer.
Guirassy is on the transfer radar of other Premier League clubs after scoring nine goals in the season, but Arsenal appeared to be in the lead of suitors. The Frenchman has been rated by his side at £15 million, which is a price that Arteta is reportedly willing to pay.
The Sun said Guirassy is an ideal target for the Gunners as he is likely keen on looking for a better challenge following Amiens' relegation to Ligue 2 for next season. It would seem too that the French side is ready to listen to what Arteta has to say, as confirmed by Mark McKay, said to be acting as an agent for the promising striker.
"Serhou's preference has always been to play in the English Premier League, but Amiens will evaluate all offers that come in for him and make a decision from there," McKay was reported as saying.
Arteta is gearing up to fill the vacancies expected to open when the season ends. Apart from Aubameyang, the Gunners will likely see the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, who struggled this season's campaign at the Emirates.
It is Aubameyang, however, that the Gunners will sorely miss. He is among the club's top scorer, but the Gabon international has been the target of Spanish club Barcelona. A switch to the Catalans next season is seen as the preference by Arsenal captain to realize his dream of winning a title.
Also, Aubameyang attracts the attention of Chelsea, and it would seem that he is seriously considering an exit. Metro said the striker has turned down proposals by the Gunners to sign a new contract with the club.
It will be 14 months before the player makes his exit from Arteta's side, and the prospect of letting him walk out for free is something that Arteta will want to avoid. The same report said if Aubameyang will make clear that he intends to exit, then Arsenal would listen to incoming offers.
Such a move will be in line with the club's imminent financial issue concerning the coronavirus pandemic that forced the suspension of the football season. Per the same report, Arteta has indicated that his budget for the summer transfer window is still unsure, so it makes sense to start generating the needed cash.
