Arsenal are considering whether to move on from their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic and switch to alternative targets as they continue the hunt for a new striker.
The Gunners want to sign a forward before the transfer window shuts next Monday and Fiorentina striker Vlahovic has been their No1 target.
But there are increasing doubts over whether Arsenal can convince Vlahovic to move to the Premier League, with the 21-year-old Serbia international keen to join Juventus according to reports in Italy.
Vlahovic was left out of the Fiorentina squad for their draw at Cagliari on Sunday, amid reports he has contracted Covid-19, and Juventus are trying to fund a January move for a player who has just 18 months left on his current contract.
Arsenal are considering other striking targets, including Alexander Isak, Jonathan David and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Of those, Real Sociedad striker Isak appears the easiest deal to complete in the next seven days given he has a release clause in his contract believed to be worth £75million.
Isak has scored eight goals in 25 appearances this season for a Real Sociedad side that sit sixth in LaLiga.
There has been talk that Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic has been offered to Arsenal on loan but sources close to the player insisted on Monday morning that there had been no contact from the Gunners.
Arsenal’s need for a new striker was highlighted in yesterday’s 0-0 draw at home to Burnley as they missed an opportunity to move back into fourth position in the race for Champions League qualification.
The striking situation is of pressing concern given that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future remains uncertain. The 32-year-old was stripped of the captaincy following a disciplinary breach last month and has not played for the club since.
Aubameyang, who was sent home early from the Africa Cup of Nations due to a health scare while away with Gabon in Cameroon, had previously been training on his own at Arsenal and it is unclear if he will be part of the squad going to Dubai for some warm-weather training on Thursday.
Arsenal could let Aubameyang go on loan before the end of the month, but it would leave them with just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as recognised strikers.
Arsenal also want to bring in a midfielder this week and a loan deal for Juventus’ Arthur Melo is still possible. The Brazilian is keen on a move to London, but so far Juve have been unwilling to let him go until they sign a replacement.
New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner is one player who could be on his way to Arsenal, which would pave the way for Bernd Leno to leave the club.
Leno has lost his place in the team to Aaron Ramsdale and, now that Arsenal are out of both domestic cup competitions, he is unlikely to play again this season unless Ramsdale gets injured.
The German is currently due to be part of the Arsenal squad travelling to Dubai on Thursday, however that could change if a concrete bid is made for him.
