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Nigel Winterburn urges Arsenal to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Alexander Isak before January transfer window closes


Calvert-Lewin and Isak both on Arsenal’s radar (Picture: Getty)

Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn believes Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be the ‘perfect fit’ for the club – but has also likened alternative target Alexander Isak to club legend Thierry Henry.

The Gunners are desperate to strengthen their forward line with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future at the club looking bleak after being stripped of the captaincy in December.

Arsenal have made Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic a top target during the January transfer window but the Serbian is now set to join Juventus, having not been keen on a move to north London.

Reports suggest Mikel Arteta’s side will redouble their efforts to sign one of Calvert-Lewin or Isak before Monday’s deadline.

While he is unsure if Everton will be prepared to sell their best striker mid-season, Winterburn insists the club must bring someone in.

Arteta eager to bolster this options up front (Picture: Getty)

‘Arsenal need a striker who could potentially score 20 league goals a season,’ Winterburn told Metro.co.uk on behalf of FreeSuperTips.

‘I know Calvert-Lewin has been mentioned and I’ve spoken to people who think he would fit perfectly and score those goals in an Arsenal team.

‘The question is do Everton want to sell?

‘Isak’s been mentioned as well, so whatever you do there’s always an element of risk that comes along with it.

‘The only conclusion I can make is that we definitely need a striker, and this problem isn’t going to go away because we’ll need one for next season anyway.

‘Whenever we can get one in this transfer window remains to be seen.’

Arsenal have pursued a deal for Vlahovic throughout the January window but with the 21-year-old showing little interest in the move, Winterburn has urged the club to move on quickly.

Vlahovic looks set to join Juventus (Picture: Getty)

Real Sociedad forward Isak is also on Arsenal’s wanted list and the former defender insists the 22-year-old Swede reminds him of another Gunners legend.

‘Arteta has said himself the club are working hard to bring someone in, but it’s difficult and when managers usually say that, then it tells you they can’t get who they want right now,’ Winterburn said.

‘With Vlahovic, he’s been linked with Arsenal for so long, but I think he’s always wanted to go to Juventus.

‘It’s time to move on from him, there’s no point talking about a guy who potentially doesn’t want to come to you.

‘We might have to take a chance on somebody and with Isak he reminds me a little of Henry with the goals he scores.

‘When Arsene Wenger brought Henry in, he played as a centre forward, but not in the role of a centre forward.

‘He used to drift into clever little areas in midfield and on the left-hand side and if you look at Isak, and a lot of his goals, they come from a very similar area.

‘But who knows, if we do bring somebody in then they need to hit the ground running.’

Winterburn fears however if Arsenal fail to bring in a centre forward it could have a devastating impact on their hopes of clinching a top four finish this season.

‘A lot of supporters are frustrated that we haven’t been able to do anything, especially now we’ve put ourselves in a good position where we could potentially finish in the top four.

‘It’s opened up and the feeling is that if Arsenal don’t get somebody in, then they’ll probably come up short.’


MORE : Transfer news live: Arsenal eyeing Douglas Luiz, Jesse Lingard ‘upset’ and ‘angry’ with Manchester United


MORE : Roma boss Jose Mourinho wants to raid Arsenal for a second time before the window closes

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