Report: Arsenal readying bid for £25m striker who hasn't scored a single goal this season

Yesterday at 09:32 AM

Arsenal's approach to the January transfer window seemed to change instantly once the club caught wind how serious Gabriel Jesus' knee injury was.

Jesus won't feature for Arsenal again this season meaning that Kai Havertz will be the only option for Mikel Arteta to call upon as a natural number nine as things stand.

The Gunners are still competing to win the Premier League and the Champions League, as well as their hopes to overturn a first-leg semi-final deficit against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.

Put simply, one striker isn't enough for a club of Arsenal's ambition and they want another.

Arsenal can't sign Benjamin Sesko or Alexander Isak this month – their two preferred targets who won't be going anywhere until the summer at least.

Therefore, Arsenal are faced with no choice but to change their plans, leading to their interest in Mathys Tel. 

Arsenal preparing first offer for Bayern Munich striker Mathys Tel

Arsenal have been offered Tel recently, a Bayern Munich striker who is playing second-fiddle to Harry Kane in the Bundesliga.

Now, Football Transfers are reporting that Arsenal are readying a bid for Tel, who cost Bayern £25m back in 2022 when they recruited the then 17-year-old from Rennes.

READ MORE: What Harry Kane has said about Mathys Tel as Tottenham and Arsenal offered Bayern Munich striker

Now 19, Tel hasn't had the necessary minutes to fulfil his potential in Germany, hence why he's now available to move.

That being said, the report states that Arsenal are planning to make an offer for the France under-21 international before next week's deadline.

Arsenal didn't plan to bid for Tel in January, but they've been forced to swivel their plans.

On his part, Arteta is said to have admired Tel for a long-time, even if he wasn't initially on the club's shortlist this month.

But now it is 'likely' that Arsenal will make an approach to Bayern imminently.

Mathys Tel is yet to score for Bayern Munich this season

All that considered, it's worth noting that Tel hasn't actually scored for Bayern yet this season in 13 appearances.

That's partly because those appearances have only entailed 396 minutes on the pitch – the Frenchman is predominantly used as a substitute.

Thierry Henry complimented Tel in the past, comments that will excite fans in north London if Arsenal can agree a deal with Bayern.

In addition, supporters in N5 will be pleased to hear that Tel can also operate effectively as a left-winger, a position he's often being asked to play by Vincent Kompany this season.

Just a few days ago it felt as if there was little hope of Arsenal signing a striker this month, but circumstances might now be aligning for Arteta.