Girona question, £42m bid, alternatives found - Artem Dovbyk Arsenal transfer verdict

Artem Dovbyk is the latest striker to be linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.

Edu and Mikel Arteta are keen on strengthening the Gunners forward line in the transfer window, football.london understands, with a clinical centre forward, as well as versatile winger, among the positions eyed. Dovbyk had a sensational season for Girona last season and now the Ukrainian has been linked with a move to Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old scored 25 goals in 41 appearances for the Spanish side during the 2023/24 campaign, while he also assisted his teammates 10 times. Diari de Girona has claimed that Arsenal are among the European sides monitoring Dovbyk's situation, with the former SK Dnipro-1 man currently part of Ukraine's Euro 2024 squad.

It's reported that the striker will only be allowed to leave Girona if a club goes close to the release clause, which is in the region of €40million (£33million) to €50million (£42million). Joshua Zirkzee, Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak, Ivan Toney and Brian Brobbey are some of the other names who have been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.

So, what do Arsenal do? Look to sign Dovbyk or pursue an alternative? Here, football.london writers give their thoughts on the situation.

Sam Truelove

Dovbyk is obviously a clinical striker. He was La Liga's top goalscorer for a reason last season. My only concern would be if he has the capability to make the step up to the Premier League, having only joined Girona last summer.

READ MORE: Arsenal have already completed £65m signing as Mikel Arteta sent clear transfer message

READ MORE: Arsenal could replace Jakub Kiwior with Brazil international in surprise transfer swap deal

The Gunners will be fighting for the Premier League once again next campaign and while Manchester City have the likes of Erling Haaland leading their line, Dovbyk perhaps is a bit underwhelming in comparison. But the Ukrainian has scored goals wherever he's played. In the 2022/23 season he scored 29 goals in 39 appearances, while the season before he scored 14 in 18. He is clearly a clinical finisher.

His release clause of up to £42million is also affordable in comparison to the likes of Alexander Isak, who would cost more than double that. There's a lot of uncertainty regarding Dovbyk, though, which is why I would perhaps opt to sign someone like Ivan Toney instead. The Brentford man has Premier League experience, is a good finisher and should be available at a decent price considering his contract situation.

Josh Holland

Dovbyk enjoyed a terrific season for Girona in Spain last term and played a huge role in helping them to the Champions League. Watching him in the poacher-role, it's blatantly obvious why the big teams are showing interest.

However, the big concern would be his ability to represent a big club with big expectations in one of the biggest leagues in the world. When the title was lost to Man City in May, names such as Victor Osimhen were linked as world-class candidates to improve Arteta's side. Dovbyk isn't that.

Last season was just his first one in Europe's top five divisions and while his record is impressive, Arsenal are likely to prefer a more-proven goalscorer. At 26, too, there is little room for him to grow into, whereas Isak does.

If the Gunners are targeting a striker to come in and score goals for fun in the 2024/25 season, I'm not sold on the Ukraine international.

Lee Wilmot

I've got to be honest, he's not a name I'm very familiar with. I can't say I watched a lot of La Liga last season, although his stats suggest he had a hell of a campaign.

Twenty-four goals and eight assists in 36 league appearances is quite something and if the figures being touted around the £42million are correct, he may not be a bad option for Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners scored a lot of goals without a recognised striker this season and a versatile forward to add to the frontline would be perfect. However, at 26 years old and with only one season in La Liga to his name, he may not be the persona that Mikel Arteta needs.

A younger forward with little experience has more time on his side to get used to the rigours of the Premier League. Arsenal may well be better suited to splashing £42million elsewhere.

Joe Doyle

Dovbyk had a great year for Girona in La Liga, but would he do the same at Arsenal?

It's not really a question anyone can answer with any certainty. He'd certainly add some strength in depth in attack, but I'm not sure he'd be an upgrade on the options they've already got in Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

In reality, that's where Arsenal are at the moment. If a player doesn't improve the first XI, you shouldn't be spending too much cash on him. At £42million and 26 years old, I'm not sure he quite fits the profile of what the Gunners will be looking for in a striker.

Maybe I'm wrong and he goes on to join and win a Golden Boot, but it seems an unlikely move.