Securing the services of a free agent is, more often than not, a relatively smart move if the bonuses and wages are affordable.
With Arsenal seriously lacking depth in the striker department, Edu may turn to the free agent market in the coming weeks to bolster Mikel Arteta's side.
One name linked with Arsenal over the weekend was Ze Luis.
The 31-year-old Cape Verdean can safely be considered as a European journeyman, operating in leagues outside of the traditional top five, predominantly in Portugal and Russia.
Having started his career relatively slowly for SC Braga B, netting 4 goals in 14 games, Ze Luis moved to Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow, netting just 1 goal and claiming 3 assists in 16 games.
In a rather unusual move, Ze Luis moved onto Hungarian side MOL Fehérvár FC. During his time at the club Ze Luis amassed 29 appearances netting a combined 15 goals and assists.
This upturn in form allowed Ze Luis to return to Portugal, this time landing at two time European Champions Porto.
12 goal contributions in 32 games was not too bad, but hardly inspiring. Having registered 1 goal in Champions League qualifying and 0 goals during the 6 matches he played in the Europa League, Ze Luis completed a full-circle trip and found himself back at SC Braga.
Now in the first team, Ze Luis managed 21 goals and assists in 47 games for Os Arcebispos. Never one for volume output, his time at SC Braga was the most successful of his career thus far.
Again on the move, Ze Luis joined Gil Vicente FC. During his 48 game career at Gil Vincente, he racked up 21 goals and 0 assists. Again, his slightly under one goal every two game consistency made him a useful player, never a real star.
However, his next move proved to be the catalyst for his career. Returning back to Spartak Moscow, Ze Luis found a home. 59 goal contributions in 109 games was the best form of his career and exposed him once again to European football.
Linked with Arsenal
Ze Luis' contract was terminated by mutual consent with Spartak Moscow during the January transfer window and he now finds himself looking for a new club.
His career, whilst relatively unspectacular individually, was decorated with trophies, winning every domestic trophy in Portugal whilst also winning the Russian Premier League.
With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah now into the final six months of their contracts, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang allowed to join Barcelona on deadline day, Arsenal are extremely thin in the attacking department.
Technical director Edu spent the majority of the month chasing Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic but as football.london previously reported, the player wanted to stay in Serie A before sealing a move to Juventus last week.
The likes of Lille centre-forward Jonathan David and Alexander Isak were named as potential alternatives, but no transfer was ever close in reality.
Ze Luis will obviously offer Arteta another option up top if a move was to ever materialise, but with calls for Gabriel Martinelli to play more centrally, it remains to be seen if the free agent striker is brought to the Emirates.
