Wenger Wants Lopez After Being Put-Off By Expensive Villa Deal

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 Adrian Lopez.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would prefer to sign Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez rather than Barcelona’s David Villa next month, according to the Mirror.

The report claims that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has enquired about the possibility of signing Spanish hitman Villa but is concerned about spending £12m and £100,000-a-week in wages on a 31-year-old who’s only recently returned from a broken leg.

It’s suggested that the boss has decided to target Lopez – dubbed the ‘new David Villa’ – instead, with the Mirror reporting the 24-year-old has a £15m buy-out clause but will command far less in terms of wages. An apparent source told the paper:

“Arsenal have asked Barcelona about David Villa, but the manager has a lot of concerns.

“It is looking increasingly likely Adrian is the man he will go for. He is younger version on Villa and will fit into Arsenal’s wage structure.” A source told the Mirror.

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While i’m always dubious of trusting anything claimed by an unnamed ‘source’, it will be interesting to see who the boss does go for in January. Lopez is younger and his reported wage demands would fit in with our wage structure but there is no doubt that Villa would be an exciting signing if he were to come to the Emirates.

I’ve always been a huge admirer of the Barca strikers and would love to see him at Arsenal but I just can’t see it happening, so a move for Lopez seems more likely.

Lopez scored 19 goals for Alteico Madrid last season but has struggled for game-time this term, although he did grab the winner over Celta Vigo on Friday night. He’s a long-way from the finished article but could develop into something special under Wenger’s guidance. Let’s see what January brings but hopefully we can sign a new front man early as we badly need more options in attack.

Who would you like Wenger to sign? Get involved in the comments section below.