Arsenal are considering a “shock” move for Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier, according to OnlineGooner.com.
The website claim that the 21-year-old is being looked at by the Gunners as a cheaper alternative to the other striker targets on their list.
Beier could potentially be available for around €35m (£30m) and, considering his age and performance level, it could present value for money.
The striker scored 16 goals for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga last season, and his form was enough to get him a call-up for Germany’s provisional Euro 2024 squad.
While Beier has represented his country at youth level, he has not been capped by the senior side so he could well make his debut when Die Mannschaft play in their home tournament next month.
What do Arsenal fans need to know about Beier?
The forward spent spells in SV Kirchmoser, Brandenburger SC Sud, Energie Cottbus and Hoffenheim’s youth teams before making his first-team debut in February 2020.
Since then, though, Beier has had to be patient for starting opportunities, having only really become a regular at the beginning of last season. He turned heads immediately, scoring 6 times in Hoffenheim’s opening 8 league fixtures. The German also finished the campaign strongly, grabbing himself a brace against Darmstadt and another goal versus Bayern Munich on the final day.
What other strikers are the club interested in signing?
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is known to be on the Gunners’ shortlist but reports today suggest that the Magpies may demand as much as £180m for the player.
Alternatives such as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko (£55m) and Viktor Gyokeres (£85m) would be much cheaper but Beier is undoubtedly the most economically viable option. It is debatable, though, whether one season in the Bundesliga is enough to prove he is ready to make the switch to the Emirates.
