Arsenal interested in Jamie Gittens, no advanced talks with Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, but there are no advanced negotiations, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners could invest in a new winger during the summer transfer window, and Gittens has been named as a potential candidate in recent days.
The Athletic reveal that the 20-year-old has ‘his backers among the Arsenal hierarchy’ but ‘reports of advanced negotiations’ with Dortmund are ‘inaccurate’.
If the Gunners were to follow through on their interest, it might require Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard heading for the exit door this summer.
Arsenal should pursue a more reliable left-wing option
The Gunners are poised to sign a marquee striker during the next transfer window. Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a prime target for the club.
Alongside the Swede, manager Mikel Arteta may want to bolster the left wing department, considering the inconsistency of Martinelli and Trossard this term.
Both have impressed in small phases during the season, but have not carried over their form over longer periods. Arsenal need a more reliable figure for the role.
Trossard seems the most likely candidate to leave with interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Gittens has registered 12 goals and five assists for Dortmund this campaign, but his form has nosedived since the turn of the year, since Niko Kovac replaced Nuri Sahin as the manager.
The youngster excelled in a 4-2-3-1 formation during the first half of the season, but has struggled to adapt under Kovac’s 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 system in recent months.
He has managed just one goal since the beginning of February.
Kovac’s set-up has brought a more direct style of football dependent on wing-backs. This has hampered Gittens, who likes to outwit defenders with his dribbling skills.
Arsenal’s 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation would suit Gittens, but the Gunners need a more reliable goal getter from the left wing if they want to challenge for regular trophies.
Gittens could be signed for £43-51 million this summer. For a similar outlay, Arsenal should focus on landing long-term target Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.
The Spaniard has had an injury-hampered season but has still managed 18 goal contributions. He had 26 goal involvements for the Basque outfit last term from the left wing.
Williams’ salary demands could be on the higher side, but he has proved himself at the highest level, having scored for Spain against England in the Euro 2024 final triumph.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
