Arsenal are set for a busy summer in the transfer window, and whilst the season is not yet concluded, work may already be underway behind the scenes.
Mikel Arteta is seemingly keen to strengthen his attacking options, and a centre-forward is high on the priority list.
Alexander Isak of Newcastle is among the names linked, but given the potential difficulty of a deal, Arsenal could turn to a different transfer target instead.
The likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko have been linked, with it clear that a young goalscorer who can also provide speed or physicality is desired, and another name who the club have scouted is Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez.
The Mexican has been outstanding this season, scoring 21 and assisting five times in 29 Eredivisie appearances, but previously carried a reported £87m price tag.
However, this could now be lower, and his father and agent may end up speaking to Arsenal in the coming days.
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Santiago Gimenez could be set for Arsenal talks
A report from Mexican outlet Vamos Azul has now claimed that Gimenez’s father and representative will travel to Europe in the coming days to speak to several interested parties, and has named Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur as potential destinations for the 23-year-old.
It is also claimed that a concrete offer from a major Premier League side could arrive for the striker, whom Arsenal scouted earlier this season.
His price tag is said to have decreased to a fee of around £40m from his original £87m valuation, making him a much more reasonable purchase if Arsenal decide to sign him.
What would Santiago Gimenez bring to Arsenal?
With Kai Havertz seeing a recent upturn in form, there is now less urgency to sign a striker who can make an immediate impact, and a younger option like Gimenez could be given time to settle.
He would bring speed and a deadly finishing ability to Arsenal’s attack, with Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt recently highlighting his pace as one of his best attributes.
“He’s back here in the middle of the defenders and he’s really fast. Watching the keeper before he shoots, the rest. In my opinion, he is currently the best striker in the Eredivisie,” Kuyt stated of Gimenez after he scored against Excelsior.
Whilst he is a raw option compared to Arsenal’s other targets, it will be interesting to see if Arteta gambles on him as a striker who could develop into the deadly hitman his side needs to go up another level in front of goal.