Arsenal have made an approach to sign Napoli forward Dries Mertens on a free transfer, according to reports in Italy.
The London club are looking for new signings this month with Mikel Arteta prioritising a transfer move for a new central defender after Calum Chambers’ season-ending injury.
But Arteta could also be in the market for a new attacker at the end of the campaign as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future at the club is still in huge doubt.
Aubameyang will have just a year remaining on his current deal at the end of the campaign, while reports have claimed that the striker has told Mikel Arteta that he wants to leave Arsenal this summer window as he wants to join a team capable of winning major trophies.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia, the gunners are already lining up a possible replacement and an initial approach has been made for the Napoli forward.
The 32-year-old is out of contract with Napoli at the end of the campaign and is now free to negotiate a deal with other sides.
Mertens would therefore represent a cheap solution for Arteta’s team, who are already operating on a restricted transfer budget and are exploring loan deals this January.
Mertens has scored nine goals in 22 matches for Napoli this campaign, including two against Premier League side Liverpool in the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, has warned that the gunners could struggle to complete a signing during this January window.
‘At the moment there is nothing coming up,’ Arteta said after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday. ‘The club is working on a few things but you know how difficult this window is and I’m not expecting many things.’
