Arsenal can sign striker transfer target if they do one thing in January transfer window – he’s a ‘handful’

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Arsenal are on the hunt for a new forward before the end of the January transfer market.

Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign a new forward, with the Gunners actively searching for reinforcements.

After Gabriel Jesus’ season-ending injury, Arteta’s priorities shifted, understanding that his Arsenal squad are lacking attacking depth.

While Arsenal admire several strikers in and around Europe, it remains to be seen just who is on Arteta’s wishlist for now, and who will be revisited in the summer. 

• READ MORE: David Ornstein issues positive Arsenal striker transfer update amid fan meltdown

Arsenal told what they have to do to sign Jhon Duran

Benjamin Sesko is a top target for Arsenal but, RB Leipzig remain firm on their stance regarding a winter transfer for their talisman.

Fortunately, the Slovenian isn’t the only number nine the Gunners are eyeing, as a target closer to home has emerged.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal made contact with Jhon Duran regarding a January transfer, understanding the difficulty in hiring the clinical forward from rivals Aston Villa.

Duran has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time, with now being arguably the best opportunity for the Gunners to recruit the Colombian.

That’s according to The Athletic’s understanding of Villa’s view on the striker, reporting that Unai Emery’s club are willing to let Duran leave this month if certain conditions are met. 

The Athletic states that ‘bids of around £80m’ would suit ‘all parties’, making a move ‘certainly possible’ mid-way through the 2024/25 campaign.

Given Romano’s update on Arsenal sniffing around Duran at present, the ball is in the Gunners’ court as to whether they go all out for the Colombia international or not.

Jhon Duran hailed for his clinical nature – Arsenal don’t have it

Duran is a complicated figure, being just 21 and having a fragile relationship with Emery following the transfer saga that unfolded between himself and West Ham in the summer.

For all of the striker’s petulant faults, there’s a goal-scorer of innate quality there for the taking, which Arteta and the Arsenal board must react to. 

One of Duran’s teammates explained just what the Colombian offers to a front line, calling him a ‘handful’ for defenders due to his mentality in front of goal.

“He’s a handful for anyone. He’s scored six goals this season, probably four winners,” Morgan Rogers told TNT Sports.

“He knows he’s going to get that chance and he backs himself 100%, and we know he’s going to finish it.”

Parting ways with £80m mid-way through the season is something unexpected from Arsenal but, in Duran, the Gunners could secure one of the Premier League’s hottest talents.