Arsenal could really upset West Ham with a £25million in the coming days according to reports emerging from Italy.
Arsenal’s search for a new striker is starting to become a little desperate. Since the Gunners were rejected by Jamie Vardy they have struggled to enter serious negotiations with another forward. Gonzalo Higuain was the next to be linked but now the latest development seems to be that Juventus have swooped in to sign him.
Gazzetta World suggest that Arsenal are the latest club to show a serious interest in Carlos Bacca, who was thought to be set to join West Ham after a €30million fee was agreed with AC Milan.
The price for Bacca is €30million and with Arsenal’s growing desperation to sign a new striker, he could be a decent option. The Colombian turns 30 in September but he is an established goalscorer and has proven that in numerous leagues now.
Although West Ham had agreed a fee, it seems the player is desperate to play Champions League football and if the Gunners were to also agree a fee with Milan it seems he would certainly rather play for Arsenal.
Bacca isn’t world class and he won’t excite fans too much if he did arrive, but he will score some goals and he’s a very different option to Olivier Giroud, which can only be a good thing as Arsene searches for attacking variety.
Bacca scored 18 league goals and made 2 assists in 38 Serie A appearances last season. His weaknesses are listed as passing and offside awareness by WhoScored. Like Vardy though, Bacca has great acceleration and instinctive finishing, the question would be whether he is capable of getting into the game enough when playing against teams with a deep defensive line.
My verdict is I’d like better, but he’s better than nothing. I’m still hoping a deal for Higuain manages to materialise.