Arsenal are in the race to sign Lazio forward Joaquin Correa in the summer transfer window. The 26-year-old attacker has been at the Italian club since 2018, having joined from Sevilla, and he has gone on to become a key player for them.
As per Solo La Lazio, the Italian outfit could allow the Argentine to leave the club if they are offered around €35 million. The Gunners, though, do not want to pay more than €20 million for Correa.
Lazio are not keen on selling the player for less than the price they have set. Everton are also reportedly interested in signing Correa.
In 117 games for the club, Joaquin Correa has scored 30 goals and made 18 assists. He has three years remaining on his current deal at Lazio.
Joaquin Correa – The forward Arsenal need?
Joaquin Correa is an exciting player with pace to burn and fantastic dribbling ability. The Argentine has the confidence to take on defenders, be it in the wide areas or centrally, and is a big threat on the counter-attack.
Correa’s speed and dribbling have often led to a lot of fouls in Serie A. He averaged 1.3 dribbles per game for Lazio last season and was fouled, on average, 1.9 times per game. He had a decent 2020-21 season with Lazio, scoring 11 goals and assisting five times in all competitions.
He primarily plays behind the main striker, driving into the box with the ball and creating opportunities for his teammates. Correa can also drop deep to get the ball to try to create openings.
The Argentine’s ability to drift into the wide areas and create space for his teammates will also be invaluable in the Premier League. He seems like a player that would fit well in the Arsenal team.
Correa could play as the second striker, perhaps behind Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the Gunners starting XI, or even as a false 9 to accommodate Arsenal’s other attacking talents.
The addition of a player like Correa could make Mikel Arteta’s side more potent on the counter as they already possess players who like to drive with the ball at speed, players like Bukayo Saka, and Nicolas Pepe and Emile Smith Rowe.
The Gunners have missed a link player, someone who can bridge the gap between midfield and attack. And they also do not possess a player who can take risks in the central position, which Correa will offer with his speed and fearless dribbling.
The signing of Joaquin Correa could be a good move, especially with rumours of Alexandre Lacazette possibly leaving the club.
Stats via Whoscored