Former Bolton Wanderers and recently released Morecambe forward Arthur Gnahoua is of interest to League Two side Grimsby Town, according to Mariners boss Paul Hurst in an interview with BBC Humberside Sport.
The 31-year-old Frenchman, who has been without a club after being released by The Shrimps earlier in the summer following their relegation from League One, has been training with the Blundell Park outfit in a bid to earn a contract with The Mariners ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Grimsby have been very active in the transfer market over the summer as they look to build on their 11th-place finish in their return EFL season, with the club securing the signatures of the likes of Charles Vernam, Kamil Conteh, Abo Eisa and Danny Rose.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Humberside Sport before Grimsby kick-off their League Two campaign against AFC Wimbledon at Blundell Park, Hurst has confirmed that he wanted to take a closer look at Gnahoua before making a decision on whether or not he has a future with the club.
“We are (looking at Gnahoua). Arthur trained with us at the start of the week, so we’ll assess that situation,” said Hurst.
“He’s not going to be fully up to speed, but he’s a relatively fit lad. He’s someone who we signed at Shrewsbury Town from Kidderminster Harriers, so I’ve had a season working with Arthur and I know his personality, know what qualities he possesses.
“We certainly wanted to have a look before even considering any decision there.”
Current Grimsby boss Hurst previously signed Gnahoua when he was the manager of League One side Shrewsbury Town back in 2017, with the former Kidderminster Harriers forward going on to feature 25 times for Salop over a two-year period for the club, scoring four goals.
Gnahoua also has previous experience of promotion to League One. The forward appeared 30 times for Bolton Wanderers in the 2020/21 season, in which he helped The Trotters regain their League One status after only a year away by finishing third in the fourth tier.
Leaving Bolton at the end of that season, the forward would make the switch to Morecambe, where he has spent the previous two years. Gnahoua appeared 69 times for The Shrimps, scoring seven goals and assisting on four occasions, before being released on the expiration of his contract by the club following relegation to League Two.
Arthur Gnahoua is a player who brings a vast amount of EFL experience at the age of 31, with most of his playing career spent playing in the Football League. A relatively tall, quick and tricky player who is better suited behind the striker or even as a winger, I feel Gnahoua would be a useful asset for anyone in League Two.
With Grimsby’s interest, as much as the club are looking to bring more threat to the forward line despite the summer additions of the likes of Danny Rose, Abo Eisa and Charles Vernam, Gnahoua would provide that competition but more importantly, squad depth.
Being previously signed by Hurst at Shrewsbury as well, he will know more than anyone what the 31-year-old is like around the changing room and what he can bring to a team. I personally think it would be a decent signing for The Mariners if they do decide to offer him a contract at Blundell Park.
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