In a recent report, Pianeta Milan has mentioned that Arsenal are set to be rivalled by AC Milan in pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg forward Patson Daka, who is valued at around €20m. It is understood that the Gunners might also have to compete with Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United in the race to acquire the services for the talented striker (via Pianeta Milan).
Daka’s Impressive Form In Both Domestic And European Football
Daka is experiencing a sensational campaign at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg as he has produced several influential performances as the spearhead of Jesse Marsch’s frontline. The Chingola-born talent has made 33 appearances for the Austrian outfit this term, netting 30 goals and picking up ten assists in multiple competitions.
The 22-year-old has caught the eye with his performances in Europe where he is averaging 1.2 tackles, 2.5 shots and 1.2 key passes per game in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League this season. However, Daka has flattered to deceive when distributing possession in the opposition half after completing 65% of his attempted passes in both those competitions (stats via whoscored).
The Zambia international is currently under contract at Salzburg until the summer of 2024, so he could command a big fee which might make things difficult for the Gunners this summer. However, if they can find a way to convince the player to join Mikel Arteta’s revolution at North London, he could be well worth the price of admission.
What Are The RB Salzburg Star’s Best Attributes?
Daka can use his quickness well to get in behind the opponent’s backline and is proficient at generating a yard of space for himself to get some shots in on-target. He is currently one of the fastest players in Europe but doesn’t complete too many dribbles in the final third. However, the 22-time Zambia international has transformed himself into a prolific finisher during his time at Salzburg and is versatile enough to operate anywhere across the frontline.
Is Daka Worth The Fight?
Only time will tell whether Daka can perform at a high level in the Premier League where he will be tested physically week in week out. At 22, the Austrian Bundesliga sensation is a player on the rise and would add a lot of goals and pace to the Gunners attack. Hence, Arteta should think about orchestrating a move for him quickly so that they can gain an upper hand in the race to land the rising star this summer.
Daka’s quality and potential make him a target worth fighting for as Arsenal need a fresh face to replace the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah in the long run. Both of them will enter the final year of their respective contracts next season, so Arteta would be better off cashing in on one of them and using the money to fund a move for Daka in this off-season.
