Atletico Madrid to rival Arsenal for the signature of Premier League striker

The Gunners are keen to sign Wolves striker Diogo Jota this summer but will face stiff competition from La Liga side Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid has become the latest team to show interest in Arsenal target Diogo Jota. The Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who is currently recovering from coronavirus, is plotting a huge rebuild at the Emirates. And Jota is a type of player who Arteta wants to build his squad around.

Jota has been impressive for Wolves this season. He has 6 goals and an assist to his name in the league, 15 goals in all competition. He has formed a formidable partnership with Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore up top. His performances in Europa League have been excellent, scoring back-to-back hattricks this season. As a result, Jota has attracted the attention of several top European sides.

The 23-year old is a target for Arsenal. The Gunners, however, face tough competition from other top sides. Reports in Spain via Team talk claims that Atletico Madrid are interested in a move for their former star after watching him light up the Premier League.

Arsenal’s interest in Jota

The Gunner is in dire need of pacy wingers. Record signing Nicolas Pepe’s first season at the Emirates has been uninspiring. Youngster Reiss Nelson has failed to replicate the form he showed at Hoffenheim. As a result, Gabriel Martinelli and Aubameyang have to play out-wide. There are doubts about Aubameyang’s future at the Emirates as well. Hence the interest in Jota.

Mikel Arteta reportedly sees Jota as the ideal attacking player he needs in his team. Jota provides the necessary pace that the Gunners lack. He averages 2.2 successful dribbles per match in the league this season. On top of that, he averages a key pass every game. Arteta is impressed by Jota’s pace, his vision on the pitch, and his ability to dribble and commit defenders. He is a keen admirer of the versatile attacker, who can play on the left-wing or as a central striker.

Arsenal would have to dig deep to sign the Wolves attacker, as he has two years left on his contract at Molineux. But Atletico Madrid will have an upper hand to land the player. Jota didn’t make a single senior appearance for Atletico, before leaving the club to join Wolves in 2017. With Thomas Lemar reportedly leaving the club, necessary funds will be available to bring back the Portuguese star to the club. Also, Atletico can provide the player with Champions League football next season, something Arsenal will not be able to give.