Arsenal and Manchester City Lead Race For Bournemouth Striker Evanilson

Arsenal and Manchester City are the leading candidates to sign Bournemouth striker Evanilson in January, according to journalist Mark Brus in The Daily Briefing.

Bournemouth would demand at least €60 million (£50 million) for the 27-year-old Brazilian to ensure they make a profit. However, no formal offer has been confirmed, while FootballTransfers reports that the Cherries are expected to resist attempts to sign him mid-season.

Brus reports that other clubs are also monitoring Evanilson, but Arsenal and City are currently best placed to secure his signature.

Arsenal's interest comes amid concerns about their attacking output. Despite sitting top of the Premier League, five points clear of second-placed Brighton, they have scored just 15 goals in 10 league games – the same number as 14th-placed Ipswich Town.

Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres have struggled for goals this season. Havertz has scored three times in 10 league appearances and has been caught offside 15 times, more than any other player in the division. Gyokeres, meanwhile, has started only one Premier League game and is yet to score in the competition this campaign.

Evanilson has made a strong start to the season, scoring five league goals and providing four assists. His goal against Ipswich on 8 November made him the first Bournemouth player to score in five consecutive Premier League games.

His nine goal involvements put him level with Erling Haaland at the top of the league's rankings. Bournemouth have also won eight consecutive matches in all competitions and sit seventh, three points outside the top four.

Manchester City have been monitoring the Brazilian closely. Brus reports that the club's technical staff and scouting department have followed him in recent weeks, with Evanilson viewed as potential cover for Haaland.

City have also sent scouts to watch Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi. Brus adds that Evanilson could consider leaving Bournemouth if the right opportunity comes along.

Arsenal are also monitoring another Bournemouth forward, Eli Junior Kroupi, although the Cherries want to keep him for the remainder of the season.

Bournemouth signed Evanilson from Porto for a club-record £40 million in August 2024. Both Arsenal and City have experienced his threat first-hand.

He scored the winner in Bournemouth's 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on 3 May 2025, their first-ever win at the ground. He also found the net in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in November 2024, ending City's 32-match unbeaten Premier League run.