Arsenal is now interested in signing a La Liga striker who outscored Suarez last season, has the same agent as Tierney
Arsenal are interested in acquiring Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas this summer, according to Spanish publication Super Deporte.
Following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in February and Alexandre Lacazette earlier this month, the Gunners are in desperate need of a new number nine, and Mikel Arteta’s side have already been linked with a number of major names.
Arsenal are believed to be interested in numerous elite goal scorers, like Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Napoli’s Victor Osimhem, but the latest player to emerge from the rumour mill isn’t exactly a familiar name.
That’s De Tomas, who has risen to prominence at Espanyol after failing to make an impression at Real Madrid.
De Tomas progressed through the Real Madrid youth system and stayed on the club’s books until the summer of 2019.
He then transferred to Benfica, although despite spending a year there, he saw little action.
Then, in 2020, De Tomas joined La Liga club Espanyol, where he has been a huge success.
He has 45 goals and six assists in 89 appearances for the Barcelona-based club, which is a remarkable return for a striker in a mid-table side.
According to the article, several teams in Europe are interested in signing De Tomas, including Arteta’s Arsenal, who were linked with a bid for the Spaniard in January after a deal for Dusan Vlahovic fell through.
De Tomas has four years left on his contract with Espanyol, and his release clause is worth £60 million.
However, he is apparently valued at only £21.5 million, making him one of Arsenal’s most cheap targets.
Last season, Espanyol finished 14th in La Liga, barely four points ahead of relegated Granada. De Tomas’ goals were one of the main reasons they survived.
Last season, the 27-year-old scored 17 goals in the Spanish top flight. That is more league goals than any Arsenal player scored last season, as well as more than Luis Suarez (11), Antoine Griezmann (3), and rumoured Arsenal target Alexander Isak (10) scored in 2021/22.
Personal terms should not be tough to negotiate if Arsenal is truly interested in De Tomas.
The Spaniard is represented by ICM Stellar Sports, which also handles Arsenal defenders Kierney Tierney and Rob Holding.
Given that De Tomas will turn 28 in a few months, Arsenal is unlikely to make a play for him.
However, football is a strange game, and if Arteta is unable to sign his top targets, he may make a cheeky try to sign the striker, who he also apparently coveted in January.
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Arsenal is now interested in signing a La Liga striker who outscored Suarez last season, has the same agent as Tierney
