Arsenal Transfer News: 4 Forwards Involved In Latest Rumors

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal are tracking Real Sociedad forward Antoine Griezmann. The 22-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, among other big clubs across Europe, for some time. Interest in his services has peaked this season as Griezmann has hit 15 La Liga goals to earn his first call-up to the France squad for Wednesday’s friendly with the Netherlands.

And, according to the London Evening Standard, Wenger told French television show Telefoot that Arsenal have been “following Antoine Griezmann for a long time.”

Griezmann has operated from the left side of the forward line and his ability to provide goals from that area will appeal to Wenger with Arsenal lacking a prolific scorer. If he is signed, it would raise questions about the future of Lukas Podolski, who has failed to hold down a regular place in the first team since returning from injury.

It could also be that Wenger intends to move Griezmann centrally. Having failed to sign an established striker in the last two transfer windows, securing one looks set to be on the agenda in the summer.

During the January transfer window, Wenger made an unsuccessful inquiry to take Real Madrid’s young forward Alvaro Morata on loan. And, according to the Daily Telegraph, Wenger is preparing to make an approach to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Morata is believed to have become frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities this season. After firing Spain to the European Under-21 Championship last summer, Morata has started just once in La Liga this campaign, and has not been in the starting lineup in any competition for more than two months. Having begun the season as the backup to Karim Benzema, he has fallen behind fellow youngster Jese Rodriguez in the pecking order. The Telegraph believes that Morata would be keen on moving to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are also thought to be keeping an eye on France international forward Loic Remy. The 27-year-old has scored 13 Premier League goals for Newcastle United during his season-long loan spell from Queens Park Rangers. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has made no secret of the fact that he wants to secure the former Marseille man on a permanent deal, but knows he faces a battle, with other clubs likely to be circling.

“I don't think it will come down to how much he loves the club, or what we think we can get here in terms of better players of Champions League football, it will be about the finances as well,” he said, according to the Daily Mirror. “That is a big part.

“Like all strikers, he wants to achieve the best scenario he can for himself. I suspect that will be international football and Champions League.

"Certainly his stock has gone up quite considerably,” he added. “Sometimes the grass is not always greener, as we know.”

Arsenal have also been one of the many clubs cited with an interest in Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa. Having scored 21 goals in La Liga to date this season, the 25-year-old has also been linked to Chelsea and Liverpool. Brazilian-born Costa is set to make his debut for Spain on Wednesday and, according to the Sunday People, Atletico are trying to fight off advances in their star forward by offering him a contract extension. The new deal would also reportedly raise his buyout cause of £32 million to the more prohibitive £41 million.

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