As Viktor Gyokeres closes in on his long-awaited move to Arsenal, the Gunners have been urged to sign a former Everton striker who is available for nothing this summer
Arsenal have been told to make the left-field signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin even after completing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres. After lengthy negotiations with Sporting CP, the Gunners are on the verge of signing their long-term target.
With personal terms agreed, Arsenal have struck a deal worth £63.5million. The signing is expected to be wrapped up this weekend, when the player will undergo a medical. It has been a productive summer for Mikel Arteta so far.
Defender Cristhian Mosquera recently arrived from Valencia. He followed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, and attacker Noni Madueke.
More signings are expected before the end of the transfer window, with ex-Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere urging the club to make more attacking additions. The Frenchman, who played under Arsene Wenger between 2001 and 2007, picked out Calvert-Lewin, who was linked with Manchester United earlier this summer. He recently left Everton upon the expiry of his contract after nine years at Goodison.
Aliadiere, 42, told UK Riches via Metro: “If Arsenal are clear with Dominic Calvert-Lewin on what they want from him, I think he’d be a great asset to have in the squad.
“If the club are clear that he will be playing a role from the bench and he is happy with that and will still work hard in training, I think he would offer a different option to the team.
“I don’t know what his mindset is and if he would be happy with that, he has had a few injuries over the last two years which is a concern, but we know what a great forward he can be when he is fit.
“He is great in the air which means you can be more direct, I think it would be interesting.”
Last season saw Calvert-Lewin endure a difficult campaign, scoring three goals in 26 league appearances and missing over three months between January and May due to injury.
The forward made 239 Premier League appearances for the Toffees since his debut in December 2016. He enjoyed a breakout year in the 2019-20 season with 15 goals in all competitions.
Calvert-Lewin continued to thrive the following season, with 21 goals in all competitions. However, injury issues have since posed problems, with the 28-year-old cutting ties with Everton at the end of June.