Mikel Arteta set price to sign Italy star after Arsenal’s opening bid is rejected

Gianluca Scamacca of Italy reacts during the match between Italy and Argentina at Wembley Stadium on June 01, 2022 in London, England.

Arsenal have seen an opening bid for Sassuolo and Italy
striker Gianluca Scamacca rejected, according to reports.

Mikel Arteta is keen to
bolster his attacking options this summer after offloading Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona in January and
sanctioning Alexandre Lacazette’s departure.

On Friday, Arsenal confirmed Lacazette had left the Emirates to
return to French side Lyon.

As Arteta looks to replace
Aubameyang and Lacazette, Arsenal have been linked with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

A new name has now emerged,
with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that
Arsenal have made a £35m offer for Sassuolo striker Scamacca.

The 23-year-old is
developing into a consistent Serie A goalscorer, having netted 16 goals in the
Italian top-flight last season.

Scamacca has also earned
four caps for Italy and featured in their recent Finalissima defeat to
Argentina at Wembley.

A number of Italian clubs
have expressed interest in signing the forward this summer and reports say
Arsenal have joined the race, although they will need to return with an
improved offer after seeing a £35m bid knocked back.

It is claimed that
Sassuolo, who finished 11th in Serie A last season, are demanding a fee of £45m
to part ways with Scamacca.

Meanwhile, Arteta has paid
tribute to departing Arsenal forward Lacazette, who scored 71 goals in 206
appearances for Arsenal and helped the club win the FA Cup in 2020.

‘Laca has been a fantastic
player for us,’ said the Gunners boss. ‘He’s been a real leader on and off the
pitch and has been a very important influence to our younger players.

 ‘His commitment with us has been exceptional
and we wish him and his family success and happiness.’

Lacazette added: ‘I want to
keep all the good moments I had in the club, because for me it was just a
pleasure to play for a club that, since I was young, I dreamt of.

‘I’m really happy to have
played for five years for Arsenal. I’ll keep in contact with my team-mates,
with the coaches, with the club.

‘I supported Arsenal since
I was young, so obviously I’m going to keep supporting them. I know I will come
back to the stadium as well.’