Arsenal’s need for a striker heading into next season is certainly well-broadcast.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has already waved goodbye to the Emirates Stadium and could be followed by Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, with the pair seeing their respective Gunners deals expire at the end of the campaign.
A number of forwards have been linked with a move to north London as a result including Serbian sensation Dusan Vlahovic - but the Gunners were frustrated in their efforts to sign him as he sealed a big-money move to Italian giants Juventus.
That does not mean that Arsenal’s search is over though with the likes of Alexander Isak, Jonathan David and more being mentioned in the gossip columns.
One of the most recent candidates for the Gunners’ central attacking vacancy is AC Milan frontman Rafael Leao. La Repubblica have suggested that the north London outfit are leading the race for the Portuguese youngster despite interest from fellow Premier League sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton.
It might not be as easy as suspected to seal a deal though.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport have suggested in the past that the Rossoneri will not be able to call upon the services of the ageing Zlatan Ibrahimovic for much longer, whilst former Gunner Olivier Giroud is also on the wrong side of 30.
This could well see Milan rely on their younger options - Leao firmly fitting into that category having recently made his 100th appearance for the Serie A outfit at the tender age of 22.
He has also emerged as a key cog at the San Siro with his ten goals in all competitions throughout the current campaign seeing the former Lille man notch-up his most productive campaign.
Whilst Arsenal’s pursuit of Leao could be set to end in frustration, his current employers Milan may also have a huge impact on the Gunners’ efforts to sign alternative targets.
As per reports in Italy, the current Serie A leaders have the likes of Jonathan David, Noa Lang and Isak on their shortlist - the trio having all been linked with a move to the Emirates in the past of course.
Should they choose to pursue any of those three - and indeed to keep Leao - then that would have a major impact on how the Gunners conduct their own business in the summer.
With the four valued at £135m between them by transfermarkt, it certainly leaves Arsenal and Edu with some thinking to do.
