Since Gabriel Jesus sustained medial ligament damage at the World Cup with Brazil, Arsenal have been linked with a host of strikers. The Gunners are expected to ponder the prospect of pursuing a short-term fix for the second half of the season ahead of their Premier League title race with Manchester City.
Any slim worries, internally and externally, were dismissed in Arsenal's first game back from the World Cup when Eddie Nketiah scored his first league goal of the season against West Ham. The 23-year-old has been Jesus' understudy so far this season and has been handed an opportunity to impress by Mikel Arteta.
However, there has been talk that the Gunners must recruit another No. 9 should they have a chance of competing with Manchester City for the title. Pep Guardiola's men are looking to make it five title wins in six seasons and possess one of the best strikers in the game in Erling Haaland - who has scored 18 league goals in 13 games this season.
READ MORE: Eddie Nketiah not trying to replace Gabriel Jesus as he reveals why Arteta likes him so much
As Edu continues to battle with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk, Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix has been one name strongly linked with a move to the Premier League. Felix has fallen down Diego Simeone's pecking order in Spain and is expected to leave the club in January, despite his hefty price tag.
Previous reports had insisted Atletico would be open to a loan deal and there's been plenty of interest. Following Cristiano Ronaldo's exit, Manchester United have reportedly held talks with Felix's agent, Jorge Mendes, alongside Arsenal, while Chelsea have also been linked.
However, the Gunners have been handed a blow at their attempts to sign the Portuguese after it emerged that Atletico are planning to use Felix in a swap deal to get Arsenal target Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian has himself been linked with a move to north London after the entire Juventus board resigned.
According to Calciomercatoweb, Simeone is not convinced by Alvaro Morato and wants a 20-goal a season striker to lead the line. The report insists Colchoneros plan to offer Felix in exchange for Vlahovic in January, meaning Arsenal would miss on both strikers and may have to re-consider their approach.
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