Possibility of Arsenal signing reputable striker on loan in January

Arsene Wenger has already revealed that he was unsuccessful in his pursuit with Mesut Ozil when the German playmaker instead opted to join Real Madrid, but after a bit of patience, he did eventually get his man.

And lightning may be set to strike twice in this regard, with reports from Italy suggesting that Fernando Llorente may be allowed to leave Juventus on loan in the January transfer window.

Llorente has only played a solitary minute of Juventus’ first two Serie A games of the season, with Mirko Vucinic the preferred partner of Carlos Tevez for Antonio Conte so far.

First-team opportunities may be more forthcoming as the season develops, when the Champions League brings more squad rotation and Llorente himself is more settled and sharp, after a season without regular games at Athletic Bilbao.

Although his sheer size makes him an obvious candidate for the role of target man, this is a disservice to Llorente, who is adept at linking up play and getting involved in passages of passes.

There is certainly no shortage of clubs that will be in the market for a striker in January, with two obvious candidates appearing to be Arsenal and Real Madrid.

Any signs of homesickness may make Real favourites to make an offer, but the success of Olivier Giroud at Arsenal so far this season may tempt Llorente into believing that the Emirates is the better option.

Giroud and Llorente are not overly dissimilar in their attributes and the latter would surely relish the service he would receive from fellow Spaniard Santi Cazorla and Ozil.

But there is a case to be made that Arsenal would be better served looking for a nippier, more technically-gifted striker in January to offer them more of a plan B to Giroud.

Either way, if Arsenal are still involved in the Premier League title picture in January, a signing like Llorente would be another big statement that they are firm challengers. Arsenal’s odds are currently 14/1 to win the Premier League.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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