With any deal for Julian Draxler now almost certainly having to wait until at least the summer, Arsenal appear to be making a mad dash to try and sign a striker before the close of the transfer window on Friday evening.
Recruiting a striker has been the focus of Arsenal’s attention throughout the window and, while midfielder Kim Kallstrom is poised to arrive on loan, that remains the case on deadline day. Currently, the much-maligned Nicklas Bendtner and the inexperienced and currently injured Yaya Sanogo provide the only natural backup to first-choice front man Olivier Giroud. With the Gunners still well-positioned to end their decade-long wait for a Premier League title, Arsene Wenger would be taking a significant risk if the deadline comes and goes without a striker arriving.
Several names have now come into the frame to fill that void in the dying hours of the window. Sky Sports has reported that Arsenal have had an approach for former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou rejected by Lille. The Ivorian was primarily used as a squad player at Chelsea and would not have been a signing to wow fans at the Emirates, although he has scored at an impressive rate in Ligue 1. Yet, despite the 28-year-old having made it clear that he would welcome a return to the Premier League, Lille are seemingly not interested in doing business when they are well positioned to secure a place in the Champions League.
According to Goal.com, Arsenal also attempted a late deal for Lazio’s veteran striker Miroslav Klose. Yet, once again they are said to have had their advances rejected. At age 35, the striker continues to score regularly and remains an important part of the Germany squad. His experience and scoring ability would certainly have made him a good short-term solution, but Lazio were understandably reluctant to lose his services at this stage.
It could well be that Arsenal ultimately find Juventus more acquiescing. There have been unconfirmed reports for weeks that the Gunners were interested in Mirko Vucinic, with the Montenegrin forward known to be available. Through his agent, Vucinic claimed on Thursday that he was staying in Turin, however Juventus’s loan signing of Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo could yet alter the situation.
If Wenger is not keen on Vucinic then they could instead look at his Juventus teammate, who also appears to be surplus to requirements, Fabio Quagliarella. The Daily Mail believes that a deal for the 31-year-old, who has also been linked with Norwich and Cardiff, could be a possibility. The one-time Italy international has started just three times in Serie A this season, while also making 11 substitute appearances, and has only a single goal to his name.
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Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Move For Strikers After Draxler Deal Fails
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