FINALLY: Arsenal finally reached agreement to sign Mikel Arteta’s preferred striker as the star agree personal terms to join the Gunners
Arsenal have reportedly made ‘direct contact’ to sign VfB Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade, as per Caught Offside.
After running his contract down with Werder Bremen, the 23-year-old decided to move to the MHP Arena for free last summer. Upon joining Die Roten, the forward has enjoyed a productive debut campaign, scoring 17 goals and registering three assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
He has guided his team to win the DFB Pokal this term by scoring a goal against Arminia Bielefeld in the final. As a result, they have qualified for the Europa League despite finishing in mid-table in the Bundesliga.
After displaying his qualities for Stuttgart, the striker has been called up by Julian Nagelsmann to the Germany national team for the upcoming international fixtures.
Now, Caught Offside report that having been impressed by the forward’s performances this season, several clubs around Europe have expressed their interest in signing him.
Arsenal are one of them, and they have made ‘direct contact’ with Stuttgart to learn about the details of signing him. Along with the Gunners, Napoli, West Ham United, and Atletico Madrid are in this race as well.
Woltemade to Arsenal
Although the German side don’t want to lose him just yet with his existing deal set to run until 2028, they could be ready to sell him amid growing interest and are prepared to accept at least £38m.
Woltemade, standing at 6ft 6in tall, is technically sound, can link up the play, and is also efficient in finishing off his chances.
The North London club have started exploring options in the market to bolster the frontline and have been linked with a host of names ahead of the summer window.
Alexander Isak was previously named as a priority target, but Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres have been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium recently.
Woltemade is a talented player and could be a shrewd acquisition for Arsenal with a view to the long-term future. Moreover, he would be a cheaper option than other targets.
However, he hasn’t proven his worth at the highest level yet, so there is a question mark whether he can guide Arsenal to achieve their lofty ambitions next season, should the German eventually join.
Arsenal are thought to be the ‘strongest bidders’ in the race for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez’s services, according to reports from Spain – with the Gunners wanting to get a deal over the line for a striker to aid Mikel Arteta’s Premier League title push.
Alvarez adapted to Premier League football relatively easily as Manchester City won the treble in his first campaign at the club, alongside their fourth Premier League title in a row the following year. However, 29 goals in just 54 games for Atletico has put him on even more of a pedestal, where he is now considered one of the league’s best players, and that could see Arsenal swoop.
Report: Arsenal Now ‘Strongest Bidders’ for Julian Alvarez
Mikel Arteta has made no secret of the fact that he wants a striker this summer
The report by Marca states that Diego Simeone considers Alvarez the ‘cornerstone’ of his side’s present and future, meaning that the La Liga giants will look to surround him with more quality heading into the summer transfer window – though Arsenal are the ‘most likely contender’ to land the Argentine, with other clubs being on the prowl.
His impressive performances have sparked the interest of several European giants, with Liverpool already sounding out his potential arrival – though Arsenal are now thought to be the strongest bidder for his services.
Current sporting director Andrea Berta, who signed Alvarez for Atletico last summer, knows exactly what ‘one of the best strikers in the world’ can bring to Arteta’s side and has listed the former City star amongst his priorities for next season.
Although it’s thought that Alvarez isn’t keen on returning to the Premier League as he’s comfortable being one of La Liga’s star players, Atletico aren’t willing to increase his salary to fend off any wider interest. That could see Arsenal offer Alvarez a higher wage than he is currently earning in the Spanish capital, potentially swinging a reported £126million deal in their favour.
Alvarez joined City at the start of the 2022/23 campaign after scoring 42 goals in just 72 games for River Plate at the age of just 22, seeing him called ‘insane’ in the process – and an overall record of 36 games in 103 games under Pep Guardiola was impressive, given that he was the backup striker to Erling Haaland for the majority of the time.
