6 strikers Arsenal could have bought in January, including £160m longshot

Prior to the start of the 2024/25 season, Arsenal fans will have been calling out for the club to sign a new striker.

Having narrowly missed out on Premier League glory in two consecutive seasons and not bought an established centre-forward since Gabriel Jesus’ arrival in 2022, a world-class striker could have been the missing piece to finally push them over the line and secure the title.

However, Mikel Arteta once again began the campaign with the same attacking options he had in the previous season – Jesus and Kai Havertz – leaving many questioning whether this would be enough to compete again.

Come January, when Jesus was ruled out for the remainder of the year with injury, it would seem this would prompt the Gunners into action in the transfer market.

But yet again, no move materialised, despite a few half-hearted efforts. And soon after Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season in February, the club’s title challenge has unravelled before their eyes.

Though it may now be too late, we have listed six strikers Arsenal could have signed in January to bolster their squad.

1

Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

Starting with the striker Arsenal came closest to landing in January, the Gunners made a last-ditch attempt to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. However, their advances were swiftly rebuffed by both the club and the player himself.

According to BBC Sport, Villa rejected Arsenal’s interest, as they had – and still have – no intention of parting ways with the 29-year-old striker.

Additionally, Watkins reportedly told Villa manager Unai Emery to turn down Arsenal’s offer, as he was determined to stay at Villa Park and continue his development with the Midlands club.

Since joining Aston Villa from Brentford for an initial £28m in 2020, Watkins has been a standout performer, registering 81 goals in 201 appearances for the club. His pace, work ethic, and clinical finishing make him a formidable striker, and he would have been a strong addition to Arsenal’s squad for the second half of the season and beyond.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, despite their interest, their approach was deemed insufficient to convince both Villa and Watkins to make a move. As a result, the Gunners missed out on one of the Premier League’s most reliable strikers, who remains a key figure for Villa moving forward.

2

Alexander Isak

Newcastle United

It was highly unlikely that Arsenal could have secured Alexander Isak in January, as Newcastle United made it clear that they had no intention of selling the Swedish forward. Isak has been in sensational form this season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, including the only goal in a 1-0 win over Arsenal back in November.

Despite the low chances of a move, if Arsenal had made the right offer, it wouldn’t have been entirely impossible to land the striker.

Isak doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, but according to The Sun, Newcastle reportedly may have been willing to let him go for a staggering £160m.

Of course, Arsenal were never going to pay that figure, nor is it likely that any club ever will, but if they did, they would have acquired one of the hottest and most talented strikers in world football.

At just 25 years old, Isak would not only have been a key addition to Arsenal’s attack for many years to come, but could have been the difference-maker in firing the Gunners to their first Premier League title in over two decades.

3

Matheus Cunha

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Another player heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in January, Matheus Cunha has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season, despite playing for a struggling Wolves side.

The Brazil international has scored 13 Premier League goals this campaign, many of which have been sensational, and his overall play has been a delight to watch. Cunha has impressed with his elegant dribbling, clever movement off the ball and ability to link up seamlessly with teammates.

He was also linked with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham, but with no bid incoming, Cunha stayed put at Molineux, signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract with the club. In an interview after the deal was completed, Cunha made it clear that he had no intentions of leaving Wolves anytime soon.

“I never think about leaving, honestly,” he said. “I am so happy to be here. I hope to continue doing good things.”

However, Cunha’s new contract does include a release clause of around £60m, which can be activated in the summer. If Wolves face relegation, it’s likely that the clause will be triggered, and Arsenal won’t be the only club vying for his signature once more.

4

Marcus Rashford

Manchester United/Aston Villa

Marcus Rashford’s long-standing association with Manchester United came to an end in January as the English forward joined Aston Villa on loan, with the Villans holding the option to sign him permanently for £40m in the summer.

Since the move, Rashford appears to have rediscovered the kind of form that once saw him hailed as one of the best young talents in world football. Most recently, he recorded two assists in Villa’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, further highlighting his resurgence under Unai Emery.

However, it could have been Arsenal reaping the rewards of Rashford’s revival rather than Villa.

According to Sky Italia journalist Massimo Marianella, the Gunners did indeed hold discussions with Manchester United about signing Rashford before he joined Villa. Despite these talks, Mikel Arteta ultimately decided against pursuing a deal for the 27-year-old.

In hindsight, that decision now looks questionable, particularly given Rashford’s impressive start to life at Villa Park. As the forward regains his form and confidence, Arsenal fans must be wondering if they missed a golden opportunity to bring a player of his calibre to the Emirates.

5

Jonathan David

Lille

Jonathan David has long been a target for Arsenal, thanks to his impressive performances in Ligue 1 and Europe for Lille.

Since joining the French side in 2020, the Canadian striker has made an undeniable impact, scoring 104 goals and providing 27 assists in 219 appearances and winning Ligue 1 in 2020/21.

This season alone, he has notched up 20 goals and 9 assists in just 36 games, proving to be one of the most lethal forwards in Europe.

According to the Mail, Arsenal explored the possibility of signing David in January, but despite reports suggesting that the 25-year-old could be available for a cut-price fee, no deal materialised. Lille were reportedly open to selling him for less than his market value in order to avoid losing him for free when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Fortunately for Arsenal, David has expressed his desire to make a move to the Premier League in the near future.

“My future? Focused on getting this great club back to Europe where it belongs. The rest will come,” he said, as per Sky Sports in March 2023. “Premier League? One of the best leagues in the world, why not?”

6

Victor Osimhen

Napoli/Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen’s name is often linked with major transfers, and during the January window, reports suggested Arsenal made a push for the Nigerian striker.

Osimhen helped Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990, but after being frozen out by manager Antonio Conte and failing to secure a permanent move away last summer, he joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan.

Since then, he has impressed in Istanbul, scoring 20 goals in 25 games across all competitions, including six in seven games in the Europa League.

According to Football Insider, Arsenal made contact with Napoli for a potential late January move, but the transfer ultimately didn’t materialise and he remained at Galatasaray.

A player of Osimhen’s calibre would have been a major boost to Arsenal’s attack, and with Napoli reportedly keen to offload him, he could have been available for a relatively cut-price fee of around £55m – a bargain for someone of his quality.

However, Osimhen is not expected to stay in Turkey beyond this season, nor will he likely return to Napoli, which means his excellent form for Galatasaray will surely attract suitors, Arsenal included, again in the summer.