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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Arsenal's five-man striker shortlist as Mikel Arteta adds new name to mix

Arsenal may turn to La Liga in the final days of the January transfer window with Espanyol star Raul de Tomas emerging as the latest of five strikers on their shortlist.

Mikel Arteta remains in the market to add a No.9 to his squad and the need for a new option up front was laid bare in Sunday's bland 0-0 draw with Burnley.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains out of the frame following his disciplinary breach in December which saw him stripped of the captain's armband.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract this summer, and they will leave a huge void in attack should they depart.

For much of the window, Arteta and Arsenal technical director Edu pursued Dusan Vlahovic as the solution for their frontline frailties.

Transfer debate! Which striker should Arsenal sign? Have your say in the comments here.

Arsenal's hopes of signing Dusan Vlahovic are diminishing (Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Arsenal transfer news LIVE! Isak, Calvert-Lewin emerge as Vlahovic alternatives; £56m deal 'reached'

Read more: Fiorentina chief gives Arsenal green light to complete Dusan Vlahovic transfer

Like many other giant clubs across Europe, the Gunners could not help but notice the Serb's eye-catching tally of 20 goals in 24 appearances this season.

However, the latest reports from the continent suggest their approaches have been futile as Vlahovic, 21, is edging closer to joining Juventus for a fee in the region of £56million.

Fortunately for Arteta and Edu, they have identified four other targets and De Tomas is the latest name in the mix, according to Spanish outlet AS.

The 27-year-old has scored 12 goals in 21 La Liga fixtures this season including five in his last six matches, meaning he is the joint-second-top scorer in the division.

The report adds Arsenal have already sent a scout to watch De Tomas in action for Espanyol and he is protected by a €70million (£58m) release clause.

The Gunners are also understood to be monitoring another striker in the Spanish top flight in the form of Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak.

The Sweden international was linked with a Premier League switch last summer and his buyout clause is set at £75million, significantly more than De Tomas'.

Isak, 22, has eight goals to his name this season and he has helped Real Sociedad put themselves in the frame for Champions League qualification.

Raul de Tomas is the latest striker linked with Arsenal (Getty Images)
Alexander Isak was a target for the Gunners last summer (Getty Images)

Across the Pyrenees, Arsenal are keen on Lille ace Jonathan David as he continues to shine for the French champions, reports football.london.

The 22-year-old has 16 goals in 30 appearances this season and he has also been linked with Liverpool.

Rounding off Arsenal's five-man shortlist is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has endured an injury-struck season for Everton but remains a priority target ahead of the summer window.

The 24-year-old scored in each of his first three Premier League games this season but a fractured toe has limited him to just three more appearances.

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