Recent reports from Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport state that Arsenal are keen on signing Cagliari Calcio striker Giovanni Simeone in the upcoming transfer window as Mikel Arteta looks set to add to his attacking options ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Giovanni Simeone, who spend the past 2021/22 season on loan at fellow Serie A side Hellas Verona, is the son of Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone.
The Argentine international is reportedly available for a fee in the region of £12.8 million after Cagliari got relegated to Serie B, and Arteta wants to capitalise on the situation by signing him as a decent backup option.
However, Arsenal will face stiff competition from Juventus in pursuing Simeone as the Italian giants have identified the 26-year-old as the perfect understudy for Dusan Vlahovic.
West Ham are also in the race to secure the player’s services.
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Having come through the ranks at River Plate, Giovanni Simeone signed for Cagliari from Fiorentina for a fee in the region of £11.70 million. He has made 215 Serie A appearances over the course of the last seven years, scoring 67 goals and bagging 20 assists.
The Argentine striker managed to find the back of the net seventeen times during the past season while averaging two shots, 0.7 key passes, 0.7 dribbles, and 0.8 tackles per ninety minutes in the Italian top flight. If utilised to strengths, he could guarantee ten goals per season from the bench.
Does He Fit In Arteta’s Plans?
Arsenal are among the favourites to qualify for the upcoming season of the UEFA Champions League; however, Arteta would need to find the missing pieces of the puzzle to put up a strong fight in the league. A clinical number nine has been on the London club’s radar for quite some time now, and a move for El Cholito is a real possibility.
Simeone is a good option, but Mikel Arteta needs more than just ‘good’ to seriously challenge for the Premier League top four next season. The departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang created a gaping hole in Arsenal’s front-line, and with Alexandre Lacazette also returning to Lyon, there’s no doubt that they need to sign a quality forward (maybe two) who can slot into the starting line-up straight away – but Giovanni Simeone is far from the required profile.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old managed to impress in the past season domestically, so his recruitment will definitely strengthen the Gunners’ ranks at the top of the pitch.
(Stats from WhoScored)
