Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund attacker Jamie Bynoe-Gittens ahead of the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta's side are expected to splash the cash on a new striker ahead of next season, while they have also been linked with recruiting a new wide forward.
The Gunners were tipped to bolster the attacking department in January, but they were unable to recruit any of their desired targets and are now paying the price, as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are all sidelined with injuries.
Arsenal's struggles in the final third were highlighted in last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United in the Premier League, leaving them 11 points behind leaders Liverpool who have played a game more.
While the addition of a new centre-forward is thought to be Arsenal's priority in the next transfer window, the North Londoners are understood to be keeping tabs on other attack-minded stars including Dortmund winger Gittens.
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Gunners gunning for Gittens
According to TBR Football, Arsenal have been closely watching Gittens in recent months and have added the 20-year-old to their list of summer transfer targets.
The report adds that North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, as well as fellow Premier League clubs Chelsea, Manchester City and Aston Villa, have also been closely monitoring the winger's progress.
However, it is claimed that Arsenal could emerge as the 'strongest suitor' to sign the Reading-born England Under-21 international, who is attracted by the possibility of returning to his homeland.
Although Gittens is under contract at Westfalenstadion until June 2028, Dortmund are said to have informed the youngster and his representatives that they will allow him to leave this summer.
Interested suitors will have to fork out a fee in the region of £70m, though, if they wish to prise Gittens away from the Bundesliga side.
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Why is Dortmund star Gittens in demand?
Gittens followed in the footsteps of English talents including Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho by moving to Dortmund in 2020 and the former Man City academy star has since developed into a first-team player for the Bundesliga club.
After having his minutes restricted in 2021 and 2022 due to injury, Gittens made 34 appearances for Dortmund across all competitions last season, chipping in with two goals and eight assists.
This term, the winger has enjoyed breakthrough campaign and has recorded 11 goals and four assists in 29 starts and six substitute outings, including seven strikes and four assists in 23 Bundesliga matches.
Dortmund's No.43 also has four goals to his name in 10 Champions League appearances this season, and he became the youngest English player to ever score against Real Madrid in the competition when he netted in Dortmund's 5-2 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu in October last year.
Gittens's performances for BVB may have put him in contention to earn an England senior call-up to Thomas Tuchel's squad for next month's international break when the Three Lions begin 2026 World Cup qualifying against Albania and Latvia.
Oliver Thomas
