Arsenal have made an in-form La Liga striker their latest transfer target as manager Mikel Arteta scours Europe, as well as the Premier League, for another option up front
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Arteta gives update on Arsenal’s transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day
Arsenal may turn to La Liga in the final days of the January transfer window with Espanyol star Raul de Tomas emerging as the latest of five strikers on their shortlist.
Mikel Arteta remains in the market to add a No.9 to his squad and the need for a new option up front was laid bare in Sunday’s bland 0-0 draw with Burnley.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains out of the frame following his disciplinary breach in December which saw him stripped of the captain’s armband.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract this summer, and they will leave a huge void in attack should they depart.
For much of the window, Arteta and Arsenal technical director Edu pursued Dusan Vlahovic as the solution for their frontline frailties.
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Like many other giant clubs across Europe, the Gunners could not help but notice the Serb’s eye-catching tally of 20 goals in 24 appearances this season.
However, the latest reports from the continent suggest their approaches have been futile as Vlahovic, 21, is edging closer to joining Juventus for a fee in the region of £56million.
Fortunately for Arteta and Edu, they have identified four other targets and De Tomas is the latest name in the mix, according to Spanish outlet AS.
The 27-year-old has scored 12 goals in 21 La Liga fixtures this season including five in his last six matches, meaning he is the joint-second-top scorer in the division.
The report adds Arsenal have already sent a scout to watch De Tomas in action for Espanyol and he is protected by a €70million (£58m) release clause.
The Gunners are also understood to be monitoring another striker in the Spanish top flight in the form of Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international was linked with a Premier League switch last summer and his buyout clause is set at £75million, significantly more than De Tomas’.
Isak, 22, has eight goals to his name this season and he has helped Real Sociedad put themselves in the frame for Champions League qualification.
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Across the Pyrenees, Arsenal are keen on Lille ace Jonathan David as he continues to shine for the French champions, reports football.london.
The 22-year-old has 16 goals in 30 appearances this season and he has also been linked with Liverpool.
Rounding off Arsenal’s five-man shortlist is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has endured an injury-struck season for Everton but remains a priority target ahead of the summer window.
The 24-year-old scored in each of his first three Premier League games this season but a fractured toe has limited him to just three more appearances.
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