Arsenal's January plans are not expected to be over despite failing to secure the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukrainian looked almost set to join the Gunners this month but Edu witnessed the deal slip through his fingers courtesy of Todd Boehly's Chelsea.
The Blues were quick to swoop in and supply Shakhtar Donetsk with their high-figure demand, paying £88million including add-ons for the 22-year-old. Mudryk's move to Stamford Bridge leaves Arsenal back to square one in their pursuit of a possible reinforcement to their attacking ranks, but alternatives are expected to be considered.
Plenty of names have been linked already, including Barcelona duo Raphinha and Ferran Torres. However, according to 90min, Arsenal have joined the long list of admirers for Napoli superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
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The 21-year-old has warranted plenty of interest from Europe's biggest clubs after hitting the ground running in Italy. Only costing Gli Azzurri €10m (£8.8m) from Rubin Kazan in the summer, Kvaratskhelia has 21 goal contributions in 20 appearances - including five in five Champions League appearances.
Kvaratskhelia has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool after his heroic performance against the Reds in the Champions League, but Edu Gaspar is said to be monitoring his situation at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
However, it's understood that Napoli will demand close to £100m for the Georgia international. Mikel Arteta has recently portrayed the club's stance on overpaying for players, meaning a deal would have to work for all parties. "We always want to improve the squad, the club is the first one that is trying, but I think as well we have to have some discipline," the Gunners boss said after the win over Tottenham.
"We have to be very consistent in the targets that we want, but as well what we want do in each moment. We can get those players better, so let's focus on that."
Should the Gunners need an incentive to take the plunge on Kvaratskhelia, Emirates Stadium favourite Thierry Henry has already handed his sign of approval. After grabbing an assist and putting in a Man of the Match performance in the 4-1 win over Liverpool, Kvaratskhelia was praised by Henry.
"He had an amazing game. The way he put pressure. The desire he had, especially on the second goal," Henry said back in September (via HITC).
“I saw a player that it wasn’t just about his skill, but his desire he had and the way he pushed the ball past Trent Alexander-Arnold or the way he put pressure on Gomez, was second to none. I like that he has the awareness to see where Zielinski is and we know what happened after that with the penalty. I thought it was the right decision.
“He’s been magnificent. The run and awareness. People will say ‘well what’s so difficult about that?’ Some people don’t see what’s happening on the field and his head was always up. This guy has that little contagious thing. This is why already, the Napoli fans are in love with him.
“Yes, you can be cocky. When you play like that you can be cocky. He delivered against Liverpool, as I said he’s contagious. He has been there for a minute and the Napoli fans love him already. He has heart and skills.”
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