Arsenal will 'keep track' of Aston Villa star Jhon Duran as an alternative to Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal They are 'monitoring' Aston VillaCentre forward Jhon Duran will be an alternative to first-choice target Viktor Gyökeres for the January match. transfer window, according to Football transfers.
Arsenal were linked with a number of centre-forwards in the summer, including Gyökeres, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Šeško, but ultimately closed the transfer window without signing a new striker.
According Football transfersGyökeres was Arsenal's priority last summer but his €100m (£83m) valuation was too high to sign the in-form striker, who has already contributed 14 goals in nine games in all competitions for Sporting CP.
With his release clause not effective in the January transfer window, Arsenal have now turned their attention to other alternatives and Villa's Duran has been tipped as a possible option, according to the report.
The Colombian international was strongly linked with a possible transfer to Chelsea in the summer but the west London club failed to match Villa's £40m valuation, according to the report.
Given his prolific form in front of goal, £40m should be within Arsenal's reach for the 20-year-old who has scored four goals in five Premier League matches this season.
Prolific forward
Arsenal have addressed many issues in their squad in recent seasons and have assembled a strong squad that has challenged for the league title in the last two seasons.
Defensively, Arteta's side have continued their compact defence that conceded just 29 goals last season, the fewest of any team in Europe's top five leagues.
While they have shown their defensive ability this season and their compactness in midfield, one worrying part of the pitch that needs intervention is the centre-forward role.
In the words of Gary Lineker: “Arsenal are probably one centre-forward away from winning things.”
Adding a prolific striker to their squad could be the final piece of the puzzle they need to claim the Premier League title and also go all the way in European competitions.
Duran has been in remarkable form this season and has demonstrated his immense finishing ability, an asset that could be pivotal to Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title.
After conceding a late equaliser against Manchester CityThe Gunners will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they host Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 28 September.
