Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners Preparing £23M January Bid for Serie A Hitman?

English Premier League heavyweights Arsenal are reportedly ready to try and lure Italian club AC Milan's Brazilian forward, Alexandre Pato. It is believed the Gunners have been monitoring Pato for six months now.

The player was previously offered to Arsenal (back in 2007) but the club's manager, Arsene Wenger, though interested, decided to pass on the former Internacional man. Now, however, he seems keen to bring him to the Emirates.

Pato, 22, has found it difficult to break into AC Milan's first team, leading to speculation that manager Massimiliano Allegri may consider sanctioning a move for the Brazilian; it is also believed that any cash generated from the move could be used to bring in Premiership side Manchester City's rebel Argentine Carlos Tevez.

Wenger is hoping to bring in strong attacking options in the January transfer window, in an effort to ease the goal-scoring burden on skipper Robin van Persie, who has admittedly had a wonderful season so far. He may also feel that a successful deal for the talented Brazilian star may persuade his captain that the club can match his title-winning ambitions and lead him to sign a contract extension.

The need to bring in goal-scoring alternatives is fairly apparent, given that Arsenal's next top-scorer, after van Persie's 16-goal tally, is a measly 3 strikes - from Gervinho, Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta.

A Caughtoffside report suggests Arsenal are ready with a £23 million bid for Pato.