Arsenal set sights on England U-21 star Jamie Bynoe-Gittens | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund star-in-the-making Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has drawn attention from Premier League title bidders Arsenal.

According to football.london, Mikel Arteta has identified the England U21 international as a cheaper alternative to Wolverhampton Wanderers star Pedro Neto.

Despite splashing out an eye-watering £210 million this summer, the Gunners boss is reluctant to slam the brakes on his spending spree going into the January transfer window.

Neto remains high on Arteta’s wishlist, but Wolves are reluctant to negotiate the Portuguese winger’s sale after renouncing the services of Daniel Podence and Raul Jimenez ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Landing a new forward is one of the London outfit’s priorities following Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka’s injury-plagued start to the new campaign.

A lack of numbers in the front third could pose a significant threat to Arsenal’s quest to win their first Premier League title in two decades after falling agonisingly short of Manchester City last term.

With Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah the only reliable back-ups for Arteta’s star attacking duo, it’s no surprise Arsenal are keen to reinforce their ranks this winter.

Who is Bynoe-Gittens?

Like his esteemed countryman, Jadon Sancho, the 19-year-old started his career at the Man City academy before joining Dortmund’s youth sector in 2020.

After delivering eye-catching performances in the UEFA Youth League, the versatile forward earned his senior debut for Die Borussen in a 6-1 thumping of Wolfsburg in April 2022.

While only 27% of his 15 Bundesliga appearances for the Signal Iduna Park outfit last season came as a starter, he still tallied three goals and one assist.

Dortmund manager Marco Rose, who introduced Bynoe-Gittens to senior football over a year ago, has hesitated to rely much on the up-and-coming Englishman this term.

The youngster has only made 117 minutes of top-flight action in 2023/24 and has yet to register a goal contribution.

A lack of game time has diminished his international prospects, with England U21 boss Lee Carsley using him as a late substitute in both 2025 European U21 Championship qualifiers against Luxembourg and Serbia.

Why this makes sense?

While Arsenal are in dire need of additional quality up top, Dortmund have a reputation to uphold.

The Germans boast sterling profit records, courtesy of their state-of-the-art scouting service.

Ousmane Dembele, Jadon Sancho, Erling Braut Haaland and Jude Bellingham are among the brightest prospects who have poured hundreds of millions into the club’s bank accounts in recent years.

Based on the hype surrounding Bynoe-Gittens following his contract extension, he could be the next gem to bolster Dortmund’s financial sheets.

Arteta’s affection for talented youngsters also bodes well.

When you look at the signings he has made since taking charge of Arsenal, only a handful of players were older than 25 before touching down at the Emirates Stadium.

Barring goalkeeper David Raya and last winter’s emergency additions, Jorginho and Leandro Trossard, only Thomas Partey among the current Gunners stars doesn’t fit this category.

That increases the likelihood of Arsenal pursuing a deal for Bynoe-Gittens in the upcoming transfer window, although Dortmund’s asking price remains hidden for the time being.