Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes that Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland would be a “great signing” for the Gunners, amid the search for a new striker.
Mikel Arteta’s men have been heavily linked with a number of striking options this January, with the need to strengthen up front growing ever larger.
The Spaniard is set to lose both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette this summer at the end of their contracts, leaving just Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the only recognised senior striker at the club.
However, the Gabonese forward’s future at the Emirates is far from clear, having not been involved in a first-team squad since he was stripped of the captaincy following a disciplinary breach.
A number of reports have suggested that the 32-year-old is free to leave the club in the remaining days of the January transfer window, only further increasing the need for a long-term striker option.
Dusan Vlahovic was believed to be just that, with the 22-year-old impressing for Fiorentina in Serie A in 2021. It was widely reported that the Serbian was a top target for the Gunners this month, though they lost out to Juventus.
A number of other options have been linked, such as Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak, Lille’s Jonathan David and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, former winger Pennant believes that the Gunners should be aiming big in trying to sign Haaland in the summer.
Speaking to the Daily Express, he said: “They need a good striker, I watched them against Liverpool in the [Carabao Cup] semi-final and they could have been 2-0 up before half time.
“But they didn't have that cutting edge. They had chances - but they need an out and out striker who's going to get them goals.
“Erling Haaland at Dortmund - he’d be a great signing for Arsenal. But you’ve got big teams after him including Man City, Man United and Chelsea.
“And I wonder if Arsenal can, or will, match them in wages - but a player like that would literally kick on Arsenal and take them to the next level.”
Haaland, 21, is widely regarded as one of the best youngsters currently in world football and has been attracting attention from many of Europe's top clubs.
For Borussia Dortmund, he’s already scored 16 goals and assisted six times in 14 Bundesliga appearances this season.
The Norwegian international has a contract at the Signal Iduna Park until 2024, though it is widely reported that he has a release clause of roughly £75million that would allow him to leave in the summer should Dortmund qualify for the Champions League.
This has opened the door to many of Europe’s top clubs being linked with a move for the youngster in the summer, though there could be concerns over wage demands for some sides.
Whether Arsenal have a shot at signing Haaland is up for debate, though one thing is for sure, qualifying for the Champions League this season would be a necessity for any club to be able to get a deal done, especially for a player who has ambitions of winning it all.
