North Londoners keen to beef up their attacking resources.
Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of Atletico de Madrid centre-forward Adrian Lopez, according to the Daily Express.
The North London outfit first made inquiries about the Spain international towards the end of last year, in the knowledge that Ivory Coast striker Gervinho will be departing for the Africa Cup of Nations later this month.
The Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has also been keeping a close eye out on Spain front men Fernando Llorente and David Villa of Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona respectively, however, the club feel that they are more likely to be able to persuade Lopez to move to the Emirates Stadium than either of those two players.
Lopez, 24, refused to sign a contract extension at the Vincente Calderon last summer, a move that greatly angered his employers, while also seeming to affect his performances in front of goal this campaign, and with the player having a release clause of just £14.7 million, he is well within Arsenal’s budget.
Up until this week, the club were preparing for the departure of playmaker Theo Walcott after contract negotiations with the England international had stalled, but with that dispute now nearing a successful conclusion, Wenger and co. may now not be in such a rush to find striking reinforcements.
