European giants ‘fear’ Arsenal in race for 30-goal striker as Edu eyes surprise cut-price transfer

Arsenal are reportedly in the race to sign Serhou Guirassy amid reports that the striker wants to leave Stuttgart – and it’s thought rivals ‘fear’ the Gunners most as the race heats up.

The Senegal international scored 30 goals across all competitions in 2023/24 with his performances playing a key role in the German club's surprise Champions League qualification. Stuttgart finished second in the Bundesliga last term, above record champions Bayern Munich.

But the frontman is reportedly looking for a new challenge with the Gunners, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan said to be in contention. However, Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed that he will not be moving to Chelsea this summer.

"Serhou Guirassy has decided to leave VfB!" He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Guirassy has informed Stuttgart also. Dortmund, AC Milan and Arsenal in the race. Chelsea out."

And in an update later on Monday evening, Plettenberg added that Dortmund - who have seemingly led the race for the goalscorer since the summer began - "fear Arsenal the most at this stage."

The Gunners are looking for a new striker this summer as they look to end Manchester City's Premier League dominance. Mikel Arteta's side finished just two points off Pep Guardiola's record champions in 23/24.

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Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle United's Alexander Isak have been among the strikers linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Bologna's Joshua Zirkzee has previously been linked but now looks set to move to Manchester United, whilst another player linked in Benjamin Sesko has opted to remain at RB Leipzig.

"[We] look again,” Arteta told CNN earlier this month when asked about transfers. “I think our focus has to be with what we have already in house. How can we be better? There are margins and there are players that can still develop and be better and that's the objective that we have.

“All the margins, squad-wise, the process that we have at the football club, our methodology, especially on how we can make our players better, more competitive, more consistent and cause them to raise the level and be better than the previous season

“I think our focus has to be with what we have already in house. How can we be better? There are margins and there are players that can still develop and be better and that’s the objective that we have."