Brentford boss Thomas Frank has shared his verdict on Artem Dovbyk moving to the Premier League, amidst Arsenal targeting the Ukraine striker’s transfer from Girona.
The Gunners have identified Dovbyk as one potential option who can improve their attack as Mikel Arteta pushes for reinforcements. Arsenal scored a club-record 91 goals in the Premier League last term for its second-best record. Yet Eddie Nketiah nor Gabriel Jesus stepped up.
Only Manchester City outscored Arsenal en route to pipping Arteta’s side for the title by just two points. The Citizens netted 96 goals to the Gunners’ 91, of which Bukayo Saka scored 16 as Arsenal’s top scorer. Kai Havertz (13) and Leandro Trossard (12) also hit double figures.
Thomas Frank backs Arsenal target Artem Dovbyk to play in the Premier League
Dovbyk, meanwhile, drew Arsenal’s interest with 24 goals in 36 La Liga games over his first season for Girona. The City Football Group team signed the 26-year-old from SC Dnipro-1 last August on a five-year contract. Dovbyk also had eight assists to see Girona finish third.
Reports by Diari de Girona have cited Arsenal’s interest in Dovbyk’s transfer from Girona this summer. Atletico Madrid and SSC Napoli also admire the 29-cap ace who started for Ukraine in their Euro 2024 opener against Romania on Monday. He failed to score in their 3-0 defeat.
Yet while Dovbyk could not help Ukraine avoid losing their first fixture in Germany, Brentford boss Frank is a big admirer of the Arsenal target. The Bees coach also expects a lot of sides will explore a transfer as the Cherkasy-born striker would suit playing in the Premier League.
“There’s a lot of clubs looking at him, I don’t doubt that,” Frank said on BBC One. “I can see him in the Premier League in the future, as well. I like his left foot – it’s really, really good.”
But when pushed by presenter Mark Chapman if Brentford are among the clubs Frank backs to be interested in Dovbyk, the Bees coach ruled his Gtech Community Stadium team out of the running. Frank does not think Brentford need to sign Dovbyk given they have Ivan Toney.
“You never know but no I don’t think so,” Frank added. “I think we have a pretty good striker in Ivan Toney.”
Arsenal have tested the waters for Artem Dovbyk’s transfer from Girona
Arsenal have already tested the waters to bring Dovbyk to Emirates Stadium, Diari de Girona adds. But Girona only own 75% of Dovbyk’s rights with Dnipro and FC Midtjylland also due a percentage of his transfer. So, the Blanquivermells are to demand close to his release clause.
Dovbyk and Girona agreed to include a release clause worth around €40-50m (£34-42m) in his contract to finalise his transfer. It is mandatory for La Liga sides to insert release clauses in every player’s contract. Arsenal are still to decide if they will trigger Dovbyk’s exit clause.
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Arteta has Dovbyk on Arsenal’s shortlist of strikers, though, as the Girona star won La Liga’s Golden Boot for 2023/24. The Ukraine star’s haul further included efforts against Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, FC Barcelona (2), a brace against Real Betis and a hat-trick against Sevilla.