Only a matter of time before Arsenal finally complete their first signing of the summer, which should be youngster Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre.
The 20 year old French striker is playing with the France U-20 side in the World Cup in Turkey at the moment, and has been on Arsenal’s shopping list for quite some time, despite playing in Ligue 2, the French second division.
Most of his repertoire comes from his games with the young French sides, but he did have somewhat of a breakthrough season in 2012-2013, recovering from a torn abductor muscle that kept him off the pitch for half a season (2011-2012), and Auxerre took their time rehabilitating the player.
Eventually, Sanogo came back to the pitch better than ever, scoring 10 goals and adding an assist in 13 league matches for the team. In the current international tournament with France, he’s already scored two goals, looking like one of the best prospects to end up as the player of the tournament.
The transfer will only be completed on July 1, when the transfer window opens, but Sanogo is already talking like he’s an Arsenal player.
Sanogo is out of a contract, which means usually Arsenal wouldn’t have to pay for him, but because of his age, Auxerre will be compensated for seeing a player under the age of 23 go after being with the club since 2010.
Will Sanogo get substantial playing time next season? Hard to say. Olivier Giroud had only one successful season of first team football in France before making the switch to Arsenal, and the verdict is still out on him. Sanogo has been playing at a lower level until now, so it might take some time before Arsene Wenger is convinced the youngster is the answer to Arsenal’s problems up front and actually gives him a chance.