Arsenal should set sights far higher than Standard striker
Published:Read all about it, Arsenal need to sign another striker this summer. However, said front man needs to be of a higher calibre than the latest man to put himself in the frame, Michy Batshuayi.
The 20-year-old Standard Liege striker has taken to the media to place himself in the shop window and in doing so has been less than subtle about his preferred destination.
“I don’t think I will play for Standard next season,” Batshuayi said. “My preferred destinations are England or Germany. If you ask my favourite team, I’ll say Arsenal.
“It is a club with a good philosophy, where youngsters get their chance. I’ve been an Arsenal fan since I was a kid.”
The young Belgian has certainly thrust himself into the reckoning for a top club to go after him, having notched 18 goals for Standard in the Belgian top-flight – the highest tally of any player.
Everton are another Premier League club thought to be snooping, as they’ve felt the benefits of their own youthful Belgian centre forward on-loan from Chelsea, though much may depend on whether Chelsea will sell Romelu Lukaku to the Toffees in the summer.
However, for Arsenal – who are still chasing a league and cup double at odds of 18/1 – Batshuayi’s potential is not something they need to be investing in this summer.
Having already acquired youngster Yaya Sanago as back-up to first-choice Olivier Giroud, the Gunners must go all out for a marquee signing up top in order to increase their chances of success next season.
Batshuayi may prove a decent long-term investment, but what Arsenal need is a stellar name at the peak of their powers, such as Karim Benzema, Mario Balotelli or David Villa.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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