According to Salzburger Nachrichten, as cited by Sports Illustrated, Arsenal are among clubs interested in Patson Daka. The RB Salzburg forward has attracted a lot of attention following his performances in the Austrian Bundesliga, with the player being valued at around €20 million. However, that could increase should Daka continue his excellent run of form throughout the remainder of the campaign.
Patson Daka: The Next Erling Haaland?
Patson Daka has been a part of the RB Salzburg side since 2017 when he joined the club from Kafue Celtic FC in his native Zambia. He took his time settling into Austria before exploding in the 2019/20 campaign, netting an astounding 24 goals in just 31 league appearances – helping his club seal the Austrian Bundesliga title.
Unfortunately, Daka’s contributions in front of goal were somehow overshadowed by a certain Erling Haaland. Interestingly, the Norwegian’s subsequent departure to Borussia Dortmund made him the primary number nine for Salzburg and the 22-year-old is yet to disappoint since.
This season, Daka has eclipsed that tally by outrageously scoring 20 goals in just 18 matches. His record in front of goal is certainly synonymous with Haaland, although the two strikers differ greatly in terms of their style of play and key strengths.
Standing at 1.83m, Daka is not as tall as his former teammate and not as pacy or powerful either, although it is perhaps unfair to compare anyone with the Borussia Dortmund starlet at the moment. What the Zambian does bring to the table, however, is his ability to sniff goalscoring opportunities as well as an adequate amount of pace and versatility that allows him to play anywhere across the final third.
Is Daka A Good Gamble For Arsenal?
Arsenal’s pursuit of Patson Daka certainly makes sense for multiple reasons, especially as the Gunners look to move on from Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman is a hard-working centre-forward, but he does lack pace, consistency and most importantly, the youthful exuberance Mikel Arteta is currently looking for.
In Daka, though, the Spaniard will be dealt with an ideal attacking weapon who can not only find the back of the net but can also operate elsewhere – making it easier for the Arsenal manager to accommodate both him and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the same lineup.
Daka may not offer the same characteristics as his former teammate Haaland and also lacks experience at the highest level of football, but at the age of 22, he has room to grow and given the talent he possesses, the Zambian certainly has the potential to become the face of the Arsenal attack in the future alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Arsenal, though, are tipped to face stiff competition from their Premier League rivals in the pursuit of Daka while RB Salzburg are more than likely to elevate their €20 million asking fee, come the end of the season.
