Arsenal Attempted Deadline Day Signing

Arsenal Attempted Deadline Day Signing

Arsenal are reported to have made a late attempt to sign a new striker in the transfer window.

The Metro are following on from a story reported by Di Marzio, a trusted source, that the Gunners enquired about Juventus’ Simone Zaza.


Arsenal are said to have waited until hours before the transfer market slammed shut until making a bid for the player. Juventus quoted Arsenal £22 million for the player, knowing that they could not replace the striker with the Italian transfer window shutting the day before. However, it is understood that the Gunners balked at the price they were given and thus pulled out of any potential deal. Now the north London club will have to wait until January to re-negotiate any potential deal.

The Gunners ended the transfer window as the only side in Europe’s top five leagues not to sign a senior outfield player, with goalkeeper Petr Cech their only major addition, costing £10m from Chelsea. According to Di Marzio, Arsenal did make a late approach for Zaza, so perhaps Wenger is aware of his striking issues.

It means Arsenal are left with just one out-and-out striker this summer in Olivier Giroud. The Gunners possess both Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott in their ranks, but it is understood that Wenger prefers the duo to play on the wings rather than as lone strikers.

Would Zaza have been good enough for the Gunners if he had signed? I’m not so sure.