Arsenal handed huge boost in pursuit for bargain 30-goal striker

Arsenal are reportedly much more likely than Chelsea to sign VfB Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy. The striker and his agent have informed the Bundesliga club that he will be using his exit clause this summer, leaving Stuttgart, according to the latest news from Bild, via Sportwitness.

The 28-year-old Guinea international scored 30 goals in 30 matches last season and has been attracting plenty of European interest as a result of such impressive form. He also has a good value release clause - €20 million (£17m) - making a transfer easier and as such the situation has intensified.

While it is reported by Bild that Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Arsenal and Chelsea are all keen on the player, Sky Deutschland have suggested that the Blues are now out of the picture, thus making a move from Mikel Arteta much easier.

Dortmund are said to be in ‘pole position’ but Guirassy is set to decided between BVB, Milan and Arsenal. The Gunners will have some flexibility when it comes to the Guinea star’s salary, but it is not yet known whether they would be offering him a leading role in ‘Project Premier League title’ next season.

Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker has recently petered out. While Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee seem to now be out of the picture, the £85 million-dilemma around Viktor Gyokeres has continued. Guirassy, however, could well provide a much cheaper alternative.

The French-born striker initially joined VfB Stuttgart on loan in 2022, before making the move permanent last summer. With 28 goals in 28 league matches, the striker finished the campaign only behind Harry Kane in the race for the German Golden Boot equivalent.

As well as his Bundesliga experience, Guirassy also has plenty of Ligue 1 fixtures under his belt, spending time at Lille, Amiens and Rennes. After representing the French youth squads, Guirassy then opted to represent the country of his parents and has gone on to make 18 appearances for Guinea, scoring 3 goals so far.