Arsenal's transfer warchest is reportedly about to receive a healthy boost, as former striker Mika Biereth is on the verge of joining Ligue 1 giants Monaco.
The Gunners are yet to make any additions to their squad this month, much to the chagrin of supporters who are crying out for a new attacking option in the wake of Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri's injuries.
Arsenal's attacking failures were laid bare in their recent 2-0 EFL Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Newcastle United, where Mikel Arteta's side registered 3.76 Expected Goals (xG) but failed to breach Martin Dubravka's goal.
Alexander Isak was among the scorers that evening and is said to be a prime attacking target for Arsenal, but the Gunners are highly unlikely to pull off the signing of the Scandinavian striker this month given that he is rated at over £100m by Newcastle.
Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams - who is believed to have a release clause of around £50m - would represent a cheaper alternative, but there are still concerns over whether Arsenal have the financial muscle to bring him to the Emirates in January.
Biereth 'completes Monaco medical'
© Imago
However, Arsenal are now apparently set for a cash injection thanks to Biereth, who has completed his medical with Monaco ahead of a permanent move from Sturm Graz, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 21-year-old joined the Hale End academy setup from Fulham in 2021 but never made a first-team appearance for Arsenal, who loaned him out to RKC Waalwijk, Motherwell and Sturm Graz during his time in North London.
The latter then struck a £4m deal to sign Biereth permanently last summer, and the Denmark Under-21 international has been in scintillating form this season, registering 14 goals and five assists from 25 appearances in all competitions.
A separate report from the Evening Standard claims that Arsenal inserted a 'significant' sell-on clause into Biereth's Sturm Graz contract, and Monaco could end up paying a total fee of £12.6m if all add-ons are hit.
The 21-year-old's switch to Les Monegasques will see him link up with another erstwhile Arsenal striker - Folarin Balogun - but the USA international has only managed 11 goals in 42 games for the Ligue 1 side.
Might Arsenal regret letting Biereth leave?
© Imago
Arsenal signed the embryonic Biereth after a scarcely believable season in Under-18s football with Fulham in 2020-21, where he struck 21 goals in as many games in the Under-18 Premier League, as well as laying on 13 assists.
The Dane's route to the first team at Arsenal was initially blocked by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, but he quickly adapted to the demands of Under-21 football with 11 goals in 21 Premier League 2 appearances in the 2021-22 campaign.
However, rather than promote Biereth to the first-team ranks, Arteta brought Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz to the club, although neither man has yet proven capable of becoming a 20+ goal-a-season striker for Arsenal.
Nevertheless, Jesus has slowly started to revive his career this winter, while Havertz remains a favourite of Arteta's thanks to his physicality and movement, so Biereth would only be a third-choice centre-forward at Arsenal right now.
The Scandinavian youngster has proven his competence in the Champions League this season as well, though, and it would have been fascinating to see what he could have offered to an Arsenal side still guilty of toothless displays here and there.
Ben Knapton
