Arsenal transfer news: Sturm Graz keen to sign Mika Biereth on permanent basis

Arsenal striker Mika Biereth has impressed Sturm Graz so much that the Austrian club want to make his loan move permanent this summer.

Biereth joined Sturm Graz in January after having his previous loan spell at Motherwell cut short.

The 21-year-old has hit the ground running in Austria by scoring twice in his first four games.

Sturm Graz are now hoping they can keep hold of the striker, although their loan deal has no option-to-buy clause in it.

“It has been a really good start. He arrived late to our training camp in Turkey, but he still scored in his very first training match,” Sturm Graz sporting director Andreas Schicker told Tipsbladet.

“He has been well received by his teammates, and my impression is that he is happy to be here, even though he obviously lacks some understanding of our playing style.

“It’s completely normal for it to be like this, and we are very happy with Mika so far.

“Arsenal was not willing to include an option to buy, but nevertheless, we will still explore the possibility of keeping Mika longer than the summer.

“Right now, we are just focusing on having a really skilled attacker that we can benefit from in the current half-season. What happens next, time will tell.

“He was already on our radar when he played for Arsenal’s Under-21 team. Since then, he has been on loan in both Holland and Scotland.

“We have been in continuous contact with his representatives, and when our striker Seedy Jatta got injured in January, we contacted Mika, and we are extremely happy that we could reach an agreement so quickly.”