According to Italian news outlet, Calciomercato, Arsenal have expressed heavy interests in AC Milan striker, Andre Silva and the player’s agent is currently discussing terms with the Serie A side over the striker’s future. Silva’s representative, Jorge Mendes has reportedly met with Marco Fassone and is trying to link up with Premier League sides for a favourable offer.
Silva arrived at San Siro last summer following his impressive 21 goal season with FC Porto. He also got to showcase his talents for the Portugal national team 18 times and has been dubbed to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s heir. The five-time Balon d’Or winner was quoted, “When I retire, Portugal will be in good hands because they have already found a great striker: Andre Silva.”
However, the 22-year-old’s meteoric rise has crumbled in recent times with the striker failing to score even once in the Serie A this season. He has managed 8 in other competitions and might already have fallen out of favour with Gennaro Gattuso.
Silva is still young and has the years ahead of him to follow up on his own promises. It is quite evident that the Portuguese international will have to either start delivering with Milan or will have to find a different club in the near future. The Premier League will be a challenging escape especially with a team who are already stacked in the striker department.
Arsene Wenger bolstered the club ranks in the January window through the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for £60m. Wenger also has Alexandre Lacazette as the number nine option who arrived last summer for £52m. With Danny Welbeck as a rotational option, the striker role is well covered and Silva might just be a surplus to requirements until and unless someone makes an exit.
Silva is not exactly versatile enough to appear on the wings. His talents are better suited for a more central role with his teammates supplying him the ball inside or around the penalty box.
Arsenal’s biggest priority is to win the European competition in order to break into the Champions League next season since they are 8 points behind the Spurs in the 6th spot of the points table.
Their best shot of winning silverware is through the EFL League Cup final against Manchester City but that will be a challenge in itself – to beat the Premier League leaders.
Lacazette can probably be deemed to be the second option as Olivier Giroud has departed for Chelsea. The Frenchman might not be happy to continue in that role for the probable future and could ask Wenger for a trade. If such a situation does arise, then Silva could be considered as a replacement. However, in the current scenario, it is highly unlikely that Wenger will go all in for the Portuguese international.
