Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners Ready To Spend Big For Talented Hitman?

If the latest reports are to be believed, North London-based Premier League side Arsenal are looking to prepare a bid for German Bundesliga side Schalke 04's Dutch striker klaas-Jan Huntelaar that will bring the player to the Emirates when the summer transfer window opens.

Huntelaar, 28, has had an impressive season so far but has reportedly stalled any talks regarding a new contract with the club and has stated that he will only resume talks about a new contract once the current season ends. The player previously had attracted attention from Premiership side Manchester United but a deal failed to materialize.

Previously, Schalke stated that they would do anything to keep the Dutchman at the club but fresh reports said that the striker might look to move to a different club at the end of the season and the Premier League might be his preferred destination.

The Dutchman has shown an inspired form this season, scoring 43 times out of 45 appearances in all competitions for the Gelsenkirchen-based side, and Schalke are rightfully doing all they can to hold the striker back at Veltins-Arena for longer.

Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger is aware of the situation and may look to act as quickly as possible to lure away the striker to the Emirates Stadium. The striker can provide good backing to his fellow countryman and skipper Robin van Persie and can ease the pressure of goal scoring.

However, the player has also made it clear that he may be open to a move away from Gelsenkirchen but would still command a high price-tag which is believed to be somewhere around $25.65 million (£16 million), according to a todaysfootballnews.com report.

Huntelaar, who arrived at Schalke from Italian Serie A side Milan in 2010, has made a total of 80 appearances for the club and has managed to find the back of the net 56 times in all competitions.