Arsenal got a huge boost in their pursuit of Serie A forward Patrick Schick with reports emerging that the player has not agreed to any contract with Serie A defending champions, Juventus. Being a player of Italian club Sampdoria, Juventus were able to monitor him very closely leading to reports that the Old Lady had signed him already.
However, the striker’s agent cleared the air confirming that the player hasn’t signed any agreement with any club. Goes by the name of Pavel Paska, Schick’s agent during an interview said, “I take this opportunity to confirm the fact that Patrik has aroused the interest of many top European clubs. But the rumour that he has reached an agreement with Juventus is not true.”
While this would surely come as a relief to Arsenal, the Gunners are still to battle the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to land him. Schick has earned rave reviews from Serie A with his prolific displays this season scoring 11 goals and three assists in 29 league outings. The 21-year-old has displayed quick thinking and exquisite finishing at a young age with a pretty average midfield supporting him.
Given his maturity in front of the goal so early in his career, he is touted for greater things. At 187cm, the Czech Republic international could be a perfect fit for the Premier League, where teams score a tonne of goals from set-pieces and with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka available to provide chances, Schick could have a bright prospect with the North-London team.
Scoring has been a huge concern for Arsenal this season, given their targets and the elite league they belong to. They have managed to score just 68 goals in the league which is lesser than Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and even Tottenham. Their target man Olivier Giroud hasn’t been in the best of form and it has cost them big time. Arsenal have relied hugely on Alexis Sanchez and occasionally Theo Walcott and Wenger needs a plan B in that role now.
An academy product of AC Sparta Praha, Schick las spent loan stint with Czech side FC Bohemians Prag 1905, before Sampdoria bought him last summer. The Italian side is extremely careful in not letting their prized possession go this summer and if his agent is to believe, the player hasn’t excluded that possibility yet if the club guarantees him first-team chances next season.
Arsenal are enduring a nightmarish season this term and the club is expected to go through major changes in the squad and transfer policies before kicking off next season. Hence, the huge £42m price tag on him could be agreed by Arsenal to pay.
