Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images

News

HomeNewsTransfersArsenalEnglish Premier League

David James believes Arsenal should be in the race to sign Erling Haaland

Tom Avery

Tue 19 April 2022 18:15, UK

Former Premier League goalkeeper David James believes Arsenal should be doing all they can to try and sign Erling Haaland this summer.

Manchester City have reportedly agreed terms with Borussia Dortmund’s talisman as Pep Guardiola’s side look set to trigger his £63million release clause.

report that Haaland would become the highest paid Premier League player on a reported £500,000-a-week.

The 21-year-old has become one of Europe’s deadliest marksman and his release clause has prompted a race to secure his signature.

But James, a former stopper at City, Liverpool and Aston Villa, feels that Mikel Arteta’s Gunners should be in the mix with Europe’s other heavyweights.

James : “With Haaland coming up for £65million, that’s something that maybe Arsenal should have a word [about].”

TBR View – Arsenal not a viable option for Haaland

Given Haaland’s desire to compete for major trophies, a move to the Emirates Stadium isn’t likely to be something that appeals to the Norwegian superstar.

Mikel Arteta is currently in the rebuilding phase with the Gunners and that’s why the likes of Haaland and Dusan Vlahovic are currently out of Arsenal’s reach.

But Arsenal are in desperate need of a world class striker in the summer window with Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette likely to leave on free transfers.

And after not replacing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January window, it looks like Arsenal’s lack of ruthlessness in front of goal could cost them in the pursuit of Champions League football.

Failure to qualify for the Europe’s top club competition will likely see the north London side miss out on another coveted forward, Darwin Nunez.

David James is right that Arsenal should be looking to attract players in the ilk of Haaland, but it’s just not a realistic option right now.