When Sky Sports sources report news, it means they are confident a deal is about to be completed or that a club have a real interest in a particular player. And more often than not they are accurate. With this said, it appears Arsenal are close to completing their first summer signing of 2017 as Sky Sports are reporting that the Gunners have reached an agreement with Belgian club KAS Eupen for the £6.8 million signing of highly-rated Nigerian attacker Henry Onyekuru.
Having missed out on the top four and a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, it is believed that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will go all out to sign quality players that will help Arsenal challenge in all the competitions they will be entering next season. Earlier today the club also confirmed that Wenger has signed a new two year contract at the Emirates.
According to Sky Sports, Henry Onyekuru could well be Arsenal’s first summer signing. The Nigerian is only 19 years old and could be a signing for the youth team. All that is left to be agreed is a transfer fee between the two clubs according to the report, and Sky believe that can be agreed at about £6.8 million.
The Nigerian was the joint-top scorer in the Belgian First Division A this past season. He netted 20 times for KAS Eupen in all competitions and has also been linked with Everton, Southampton, West Ham and West Brom. The teenager’s playing style is very much like that of former-Arsenal star and club legend Thierry Henry, but he is certainly not at that level yet. He is quick, shoots with precision and is physically strong, which are good qualities to have for a player who wants to succeed in the Premier League.
Onyekuru is capable of playing in any position in attack. He is left-footed but can play on the right flank as well as the number nine when necessary. Having said that, it is important to realise that he is far from a finished product and if Arsenal are signing him, he will more than likely be playing for Arsenal’s under 23s next season. One problem that could stop this transfer is that he is very unlikely to qualify for a work permit in England. So Arsenal could send him out on loan immediately if they sign him.
Arsenal fans will be watching this rumour with keen interest. The ‘Wenger out’ brigade will certainly not be impressed with a signing like this. Many fans want quality players to go straight into the first team, but I doubt if there will be anyone who would complain if Henry Onyekuru went on to become as good as club legend Thierry Henry.
