With just a few days of the January transfer window remaining, Arsenal remain firmly in the hunt for a new central striker.
The Gunners were interested in Dusan Vlahovic, but the Fiorentina forward now looks set to complete a big-money move to Juventus instead.
Alexander Isak and Jonathan David are both targets for Arsenal, but another man that has also been linked is Espanyol forward Raul de Tomas. The 27-year-old still has four-and-a-half years remaining on his contract with the Spanish club, but his form has seen him strongly linked with a move away from the RCDE Stadium this month.
De Tomas has bagged himself 12 La Liga goals in 21 appearances so far this term, with Espanyol comfortably in 13th place in the Spanish top-flight table.
According to Spanish news outlet AS, Arsenal are keen on De Tomas and could look to make a move before Monday's 11pm transfer deadline.
Now, the Gunners may have been told exactly what they want to hear regarding the Espanyol striker, with Spanish football expert Alvaro Montero comparing the forward to former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Spain attacker Fernando Morientes.
Speaking to Sky Sports, via the Express, Montero said: "Yeah, (he would be an) extremely good fit.
"He is a former Real Madrid player, Benfica player. A typical Spanish striker such as Fernando Morientes, 10-15 years ago. I like very much this player who last November was called by Luis Enrique for the Spanish national team.
"He is with 12 goals, second for the Pichichi (Spanish Golden Boot) just after Karim Benzema. As far as I know, I've been asking in Barcelona, his entourage say he wants to stay in the club and it happens the same as with Diego Carlos.
"If Arsenal pay €60million (£50million) or €70million (£58million), which is a lot, of course they will sell him. But they believe that's not going to happen so the player is going to stay."
What about Isak?
As mentioned above, Real Sociedad striker Isak is another option for Arsenal before the window slams shut in a few days' time and Montero has backed the Sweden international to be a huge success at the Emirates Stadium, but thinks a move this month is "almost impossible".
He said: "(Isak) would be an extremely good alternative (to Vlahovic). He's a very good player, very important striker, but I will say it's almost impossible.
"A few minutes ago, I was speaking to people from San Sebastian, inside the club at Real Sociedad, and they say 100% he is going to stay.
"The player wants to stay in the club, he renewed last summer I believe until 2026. His clause is €90million (£75million) and he wants to play with Real Sociedad and stay in the club, playing in Europe.
"So I will say it's impossible for him to leave La Liga and leave the club."
