Arsenal & Spurs Linked With £23m Swoop For 31-Goal Hitman

The opening of the summer transfer window is fast approaching so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal and Spurs are linked with Islam Slimani…

Arsenal and Tottenham are showing a keen interest in signing Sporting Lisbon’s £23m-rated striker Islam Slimani this summer, according to a report in the Mirror.

Arsene Wenger has just splashed out big-money on Granit Xhaka after confirming the signing of the Switzerland international midfielder from German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach today.

However, it looks as though the Gunners boss is also hoping to strengthen his strike-force after losing Danny Welbeck for nine months with a serious knee injury and it appears Slimani is on the Frenchman’s radar.

The Mirror are carrying a report emanating from Portugal that claims Arsenal are among the clubs showing an interest in signing the Sporting Lisbon hitman but they’ll supposedly face stiff competition from North London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs blew their chance to finish above Arsenal for the first time in 20 years after losing 5-1 at Newcastle on the final day of the season but the campaign was largely considered a success at White Hart Lane, despite their end of season collapse.

Mauricio Pochettino is looking to kick-on this summer and strengthen his squad ahead of their assault on the Champions League and support for Harry Kane is certainly going to be needed, with Slimani seemingly on his hit-list.

The Algerian international has just come off the back of a sensational season with Lisbon where he scored 31 goals in 46 games in all competitions so it’s understandable why the 27-year-old has caught the eye of the North London duo.

However, the Mirror claim that Arsenal and Spurs will need to meet the strikers £23.25m (€30m) buyout clause if they want to lure him away from Portugal this summer and Lisbon’s head coach Jorge Jesus says it’s a small price to pay for a player of Slimani’s quality.

“I would like for Slimani to stay. This area is for the president. The coach also has a say, and [the Sporting president] knows my opinion.

“At present, 30 million for a player like Slimani is nothing.” Jesus is quoted as saying by the Mirror

We’ll have to wait and see whether either Arsenal or Tottenham will be prepared to meet that figure but while £23m isn’t a lot of money in today’s market, especially for a player who’s scored 31 goals in one season, Slimani would still be a risky signing as he’s yet to prove himself outside of Portugal.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Spurs transfer news

The Premier League is another level compared to the Primeira Liga and there is no guarantee Slimani would be a hit here in England, so I’m sure Wenger and Pochettino will think hard before paying over £20m for his signature this summer.