Arsenal are ready to step up their interest in Gent attacker Jonathan David as they eye replacements for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Goal.
The Gabon international’s future is up in the air at the Emirates, and with it looking more and more likely that he could soon leave the club in pursuit of Champions League football, Arsenal will need to replace him.
While 20-year old David might be a gamble, having only played in Belgium, his form for the Belgian First Division A side has been impressive this season.
Playing either as a striker, second striker or as an attacking midfielder, David has scored 23 times in 39 appearances across all competitions this season, assisting 10 times too.
The Canadian international has earned plenty of plaudits this season due to his electric goalscoring record, and now Arsenal could be set to bring him to the Emirates, with Auba soon set to enter the final 12 months of his current deal.
Aubameyang has played both through the centre, on the right and on the left this season, scoring goals in all areas of the pitch, which would make his departure so much more difficult to swallow as Arsenal would lose depth in a number of positions.
David, while not equipped to play out wide, would offer some of that versatility, and could operate as an attacking midfielder exclusively if Alexandre Lacazette could establish himself up front.
Goal claim that a bid of around £17.5 million might be enough to land David this summer, with Gent expected to be available to do business for the right price.
While it is claimed that the club are unlikely to make a move unless either of Aubameyang or Lacazette leave the club, for such a low fee a deal could be worth exploring regardless of the forward duo’s respective futures.
