Arsenal could yet be handed a boost in their attempts to sign a striker in the January transfer window.
After missing on their top target in Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic, football.london understands that the Gunners have been offered the chance to sign Luka Jovic on loan from Real Madrid.
Unlike his Serbia international teammate, it's not been a fruitful season for the 24-year-old thus far.
Despite it being the end of January, Jovic has only made 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring once and registering two assists with his game time in La Liga and the Champions League totaling 240 and 113 minutes respectively.
And with Karim Benzema in superb form, Jovic could find opportunities to increase his game time limited during the second half of the season unless he seeks a temporary exit.
Now, whilst it's understood that the Serbian has not ruled out leaving Los Blancos this month and that the Gunners are weighing up a move for his services, recent events could make a transfer decision even easier.
During Real Madrid's 2-2 draw with Elche at the weekend, they suffered a major injury scare when Benzema limped off - to be replaced by Jovic - with a suspected hamstring injury and manager Carlo Ancelotti delivered an update after the game.
"We'll have to evaluate Karim tomorrow," the Italian told reporters. "It's different to the problem he had in San Sebastian. Hopefully, he'll be fit again soon."
If the France international was to face an extended period on the sidelines, then that could convince Jovic to stay put as he would be in line to start more games in Benzema's absence.
With that said, the latest reports suggest that the 34-year-old's injury is not as bad as first feared.
According to Spanish publication AS, Benzema was observed by the club's medical staff and a physio at their Valdebebas training centre on Monday and there's a chance he will be fit for Los Blancos' next game.
And judging by the recent Instagram post from Benzema above where he working hard in the gym, he will be no doubt be doubling his efforts to return to action as soon as possible.
As Real Madrid aren't back in action until February 3 when they face Athletic Club in a Copa Del Rey clash, it's possible that Benzema won't miss any games.
Therefore a loan move to Arsenal is most likely Jovic's best chance of improving his game time between now and the end of the season.
The Gunners and Real Madrid aren't strangers when it comes to negotiations with Dani Ceballos (two loan deals) and Martin Odegaard both swapping Spain for north London in recent transfer windows.
So will Jovic follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned duo?
With potential deals for alternatives to Vlahovic such as Alexander Isak and Dominic Calvert-Lewin likely to be expensive ones, signing Jovic on loan is certainly the cheaper option for Arsenal.
