Transfer news LIVE: Hojlund set for Manchester United announcement, Newcastle agree Livramento deal, Jesus injury blow, Chelsea’s Nkunku fears, Man City close to record Gvardiol move – Beragampengetahuan

Darren Bent has told beragampengetahuan Arsenal should have signed Romelu Lukaku this summer, after learning about Gabriel Jesus’ injury.

Jesus will miss the start of the season after having surgery on a knee injury.

It’s a blow to Mikel Arteta’s plans for the 2023/24 campaign, with the club now linked with an interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic as they seek extra firepower.

But Gooner and former Premier League star Bent says there’s another quality option on the market…

Speaking on Drivetime, Bent said: “It would be nice to get a 20 season goal scorer, but who is out there?

“I said it in the pre-show meeting about centre-forwards out there… I’m a big fan of Eddie Nketiah, I know everyone’s not, but I think he’s a goalscorer, you just need to get him opportunities, and I think Balogun has done really well and a lot of Arsenal fans are crying out to see what he can do.

“But I even said for a year, if it was an option, I would have taken Lukaku.

“I know a lot of Arsenal fans are probably thinking, ‘Absolutely not’, but I think I would.

“He’s got pedigree in the Premier League. He’s a big physical presence. He’s a battering ram. A little bit like when Giroud was at Arsenal. You could play off him and I think that would have been good.

“But if you can’t get Lukaku and you don’t fancy Nketiah or Balogun, there are not many out there.

“Vlahovic is one people are talking about, but we don’t know. He’s already turned Arsenal down before, so do you want to go back after him? And he’s struggled at Juve, so why would you go and get him now?”