Former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has urged the Gunners to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin after their deal for Viktor Gyokeres.
After several weeks of negotiations, Arsenal are now closing in on a move for Gyokeres having agreed a deal worth €63.5 million (£54.8m) plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons for the Sporting CP striker.
Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, is without a club after leaving Everton on a free transfer at the end of June.
The 28-year-old, who scored three goals in the Premier League last season, is on Manchester United’s summer shortlist with Ruben Amorim keen to add a new striker to his squad.
But Aliadiere feels Calvert-Lewin would be an excellent squad player under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
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‘If Arsenal are clear with Dominic Calvert-Lewin on what they want from him, I think he’d be a great asset to have in the squad,’ Aliadiere told UK Riches.
‘If the club are clear that he will be playing a role from the bench and he is happy with that and will still work hard in training, I think he would offer a different option to the team.
‘I don’t know what his mindset is and if he would be happy with that, he has had a few injuries over the last two years which is a concern, but we know what a great forward he can be when he is fit.
‘He is great in the air which means you can be more direct, I think it would be interesting.’
Aliadiere also backed Noni Madueke to prove the doubters wrong at Arsenal following his £52m move from Chelsea earlier this month.
‘Noni Madueke is a quality player, a proven player in the Premier League, he can do it all,’ Aliadiere said.
‘He can dribble past anyone so this isn’t a question of quality, it’s about how Mikel Arteta is going to keep everyone happy.
‘Arsenal have had quality on the bench in the last few years but not much rotation, players on the bench haven’t had too many chances and that’s why I have defended Raheem Sterling, it’s hard to be at your top when you are not playing regularly.
‘I think all the signings will need time but sometimes you get pressured to take them out of the team if they are not at their best, I just wonder how Mikel is going to juggle all the talent with everyone expecting to start. That is going to be his toughest challenge.’
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