Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger To Open Talks For £14.6m Spanish Striker?

Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, Arsenal are linked with a Spanish striker.

Arsenal have made Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez their number one January transfer target, according to a report by Goal.com.

The Gunners are planning to start negotiations with Atletico soon with the hope of striking a deal that will see them sign the 24-year-old as soon as the transfer window re-opens in January.

Boss Arsene Wenger tried to land the Spanish international in the summer but has stepped up his interest in recent weeks and is encouraged by the fact the player has a £14.6m release clause in his contract.

Goal.com claim that Wenger has identified a striker as his priority in January due to the fact he’ll lose Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations for up to six weeks and will have Olivier Giroud as his only out-and-out striker.

Lukas Podolski is capable of playing through the middle but has been used predominantly on the left wing since joining in the summer.

Wenger is also keeping tabs on Atheltic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente but Adrian is considered his first choice after receiving positive reports on the striker from his scouting team. An apparent ‘source’ told Goal.com:

“Adrian fits the bill for Arsenal,”

“There is interest in Llorente but he is too similar to Giroud. Wenger wants a striker who is more pacy and can run in behind.

“They feel they can get Adrian for a reasonable price because of the buy-out clause. Wenger wants the deal done at the beginning of January.”

Adrian is an out-and-out striker but is also capable of playing anywhere across the front three. He scored 18 goals last season as his strikes helped Madrid lift the Europa League. He also won the Golden Boot at the 2011 Under-21 European Championships after his 5 goals helped Spain take the trophy.

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However, he has fallen out of favour this season after failing to sign a new contract and has so far only started two league games this term, and Arsene Wenger appears to be willing to offer him a way out this winter.

Would you like to see Adrian Lopez at Arsenal? Get involved in the comments section.

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