Among all the major tricks that Arsene Wenger will have to pull off to appease Arsenal’s revolting fan, who want the 67-year-old out at all cost, is getting some big names to join the side; and this time not on the last week of the transfer period. And if reports are to be believed, Arsenal are now eyeing a move for Serie A sensation Carlos Bacca in the summer.
There are very few positions that need to be improved in the Arsenal squad following some crucial additions this year, and one of them is that of the striker. Arsenal had brought in Lucas Perez last summer, who has been quite effective in front of goal, but he is highly injury-prone.
And with Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott getting no more productive with the years, Wenger will have to bring in someone who could match Alexis Sanchez’s vibrancy and work rate in the attacking third. Walcott has been scoring more this season for sure, but the English international hasn’t been willing to close down players with intent, which has caused rifts between the Chilean and some players. Giroud, on the other hand, is a different kind of forward altogether.
Wenger has been an admirer of the Columbian for long now with many previous attempts to bring in the player failing. Last summer, West Ham were extremely close in landing him and the move broke down just at the last moment.
However, as per recent reports, the striker wants to join Arsenal next summer with relations between the player and the club turning bitter.
Bacca has scored 13 goals and four assists in 28 league appearances so far, this year and tops Milan’s scorer’s list. At 30, the Columbian centre-forward is more of a late bloomer and looks to still have a good three to four years left on him. At 181cm, Bacca is not much of an aerial threat, but his incessant work rate and exquisite finesse make him a lethal option to have in the side.
An academy product of Columbian side Junior FC, Bacca had numerous loan stints in South America in clubs like CF Barranquilla and Minerven FC, before Belgian side Club Brugge picked him up in 2012. He made a name for him fast there and Spanish side Sevilla came calling the next year. Two more good years there and Milan bought him in 2015.
He has since then scored 34 goals in 73 outings for the Serie A giants. However, one big problem for Bacca has been his inconsistency that has been a big source of criticism for him now. And it is something Arsenal will be wary of.
