Mikel Arteta

Arsenal make £22 million bid for Borja Mayoral


January 11, 2024 2:23 pm

Arsenal’s latest move to strengthen their strike force has caught significant attention. The North London club, led by manager Mikel Arteta, has reportedly placed a £22 million bid for Getafe’s prolific striker Borja Mayoral. This strategic move comes amid the club’s quest to strengthen their attack for the crucial second half of the 2023-24 season. The Sun reports that this bid, however, has faced rejection, with Getafe holding out for a sum closer to £39 million.

Arsenal’s search for attacking reinforcements has been a topic of much discussion. Names like Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke have been linked with the Gunners. However, securing either of these English talents in the January transfer window seemed a bridge too far, redirecting Arsenal’s focus towards Mayoral. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet. 

The 26-year-old Spanish striker has been in fine form, netting 12 goals in 19 La Liga matches this season, building on his eight-goal tally from the previous term. Arsenal’s interest in Mayoral has been brewing since November last year, with his impressive performances clearly resonating with the club’s scouting department.

Mayoral’s impact at Getafe has been substantial, contributing significantly beyond just goals. With 15 chances created and 21 shots on target, his conversion rate eclipses that of any current Arsenal forward. This statistic alone underscores the urgency of Arsenal’s need for a player of his caliber, especially given their recent struggles in front of goal.

Arsenal’s recent performances have highlighted a critical area of concern – their finishing. The team’s inability to find the back of the net has been glaring, evident in their exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Liverpool. This underlines the necessity for a quality striker, a role Mayoral seems tailor-made for.

Getafe’s current La Liga position, eighth after 19 games, with aspirations of breaking into the top six, makes the prospect of losing their top scorer mid-season less than ideal. Despite this, a substantial offer from Arsenal could sway the Spanish club, especially if it aligns with Mayoral’s ambitions of playing in the Premier League and contributing to Arsenal’s title challenge.

As the January transfer window progresses, the question remains: Will Arsenal up their bid to meet Getafe’s valuation, or will they look elsewhere? With only a few games left before the window shuts, time is of the essence for the Gunners. Securing a player of Mayoral’s stature could be the difference-maker in their pursuit of silverware this season. 

The coming days are crucial, not just for Arsenal but for Mayoral too, as a potential move to the Premier League could redefine his career and Arsenal’s fortunes. The saga of Arsenal’s pursuit of Borja Mayoral is far from over, and the football world watches with bated breath. Get the latest updates from the Premier League only on Nextbet Sports