Arsenal scouting potential Alexis Sanchez replacement

Arsenal are interested in Sassuolo attacker Gregoire Defrel

The higher-ups at Arsenal aren’t going to be caught off guard if Alexis Sanchez decides to leave the Gunners. They already are scouting potential replacements. The latest transfer target comes in the form of Sassuolo front man Gregoire Defrel.

The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal have already scouted the French forward on three separate occasions this season. Chances are they’ve come away very impressed. Defrel has opened the campaign by scoring seven goals in his first eight matches.

He predominantly plays for Sassuolo as a central striker, but is also comfortable playing out on the wing. If he ends up at Arsenal it would seem that he’d be a like-for-like replacement for their current Chilean attacker who fills the same role. If Alexis stays at Arsenal, there might not be enough room for Defrel in the club’s attack.

Even if Arsenal do decide to move for Defrel, it won’t be an easy transaction. A number of Premier League clubs have expressed interest in him over the last 12 months. Most concerning for the Gunners would be Liverpool’s involvement with the French attacker.

His combination of goal scoring and intense work rate would seem to make him a very attractive target for Jurgen Klopp. The downside for him moving to Liverpool would be the presence of an already overcrowded midfield at Anfield. He’d likely have serious questions about how much playing time he’d really get for the German manager.

If the Gunners lose Alexis, they’d have a clear need to add a key attacking talent. Gregoire Defrel may not have the lengthy goal scoring record that the club would ideally like, but his hot start to this campaign could signal an emerging world-class star.