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Arsenal may have received a significant boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven forward Johan Bakayoko during the current transfer window.

The Belgian international had an outstanding 2023/24 season with PSV, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in 48 appearances. This performance has fueled speculation that he is ready for a bigger challenge, and recent reports suggest that Arsenal could be leading the race to sign him, ahead of Liverpool.

PSV is willing to let Bakayoko go for £38 million. The 21-year-old has now given Arsenal further encouragement with his recent comments. In an interview with Voetbal International, Bakayoko expressed his desire to join a top-tier club, highlighting his ambitions to compete in the Champions League and for major titles.

He stated, “I exclude a lot of clubs. My ambitions are high and not with the clubs in the middle bracket. I am doing well here, so I will only exchange PSV for a club that plays for prizes. I want to go to a club that can go as far as possible in the Champions League. A club that plays for the title every season and where I can improve every year. It could be a good moment to make a transfer now, but that could also be the case next year.”

Arsenal, who finished as Premier League runners-up in the past two seasons, narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City by just two points last season. Despite not having signed an outfield player this summer, fans are hoping for new arrivals in the coming weeks, with a new winger to support Bukayo Saka seen as a priority.

While Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams has been linked with Arsenal for some time, he appears to favor a move to Barcelona, who are currently negotiating personal terms with him.

Given this, Arsenal should shift their focus to Bakayoko, a specialist right winger. Last season, Bakayoko contributed 28 goals and assists combined, and excelled in other aspects of his game, including winning 2.8 take-ons per game and five duels, with a passing accuracy of 87 percent.

Signing Bakayoko would provide Arsenal with much-needed quality competition and depth on the right wing, where they have been overly reliant on Saka without a strong backup option.