Mikel Arteta and Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar will already be plotting moves that the North London club could make in the upcoming January transfer window.
It would seem that bolstering Arsenal’s attacking options is now Mikel Arteta’s priority.
Arsenal have been linked with Dusan Vlahovic. The Spanish coach is a long-term admirer of the Juventus forward.
The Serie A striker would certainly provide sterner competition for Kai Havertz as the Gunners’ first choice pick to lead the line than Gabriel Jesus has been able to muster up.
The Brazilian attacker has been in woeful form lately, and continues to be plagued by recurrent injuries.
Arsenal fans criticised Jesus for his recent performance against Southampton, and it has become clear that the former Manchester City man cannot be relied upon to step up and deliver when required.
An upgrade on Jesus is required, and an alternative target to Vlahovic has now emerged in the shape of Aston Villa star Jhon Duran.
Arsenal targeting Jhon Duran transfer
Whilst Duran is not a regular starter at Villa Park, he has certainly been able to boost his profile this season.
Unai Emery’s faith in Duran is growing, and the striker will surely soon establish himself as a nailed on starter for the Midlands outfit. The former Arsenal boss has admitted that the forward has “quality,” as per the BBC, and will be planning to make greater use of him.
However, the Gunners could prise Duran away from Aston Villa before then. According to AS Colombia, the North London club, along with Barcelona, are keen to sign the 20-year-old.
The Villans won’t let Duran go cheaply, though, and have put a £70 million price tag on his services.
Why Mikel Arteta wants Jhon Duran
The Colombian has made a number of vital contributions from the bench for Emery’s side, most notably by coming on to bag the spectacular and audacious winning goal in a famous Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich this season.
The fact that Duran has proven he can make an impact off the bench will appeal to Arteta, as were the forward to come to the Emirates Stadium then he would arrive as Havertz’s understudy, and would most often be used, at least initially, as an impact substitute.
However, be it with Aston Villa or at the Emirates Stadium, Duran’s ambition will be to establish himself as a first choice pick as soon as possible.
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