Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly monitoring Barcelona forward Ferran Torres - less than six months after the Gunners failed in a last-gasp £26million swoop for the former Manchester City star.
Torres only sealed a dream move to the Nou Camp last January after the Spanish giants stumped up £47.5million to prise the Spanish international away from the Etihad. But that didn't deter the Gunners from launching an audacious bid to lure Torres back to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.
While Barcelona rebuffed that approach, Torres is still very much on Arsenal's radar - and they could rekindle their attempts to snap up the versatile forward now that Gabriel Jesus could be sidelined for three months.
Speaking last week, Arteta appeared to hint that the Gunners would try to find a replacement for Jesus within their squad, stating that "there are things we can try". After insisting it was too soon to predict when Jesus would return, the Spaniard said: "We look at the squad and see what the options we have our with the players we have available. There are things we can try, we have the need to do so."
But it appears as though Arteta's stance may have changed, with a report from Fichajes claiming that the Gunners are pondering over a fresh approach for Torres, who worked alongside Arteta during his previous stint at Manchester City.
Torres, who was part of the Spain squad that was knocked out of the World Cup prematurely earlier this month, could be offloaded by Barcelona in the New Year, with the report claiming that Xavi has 'lost faith' in the 22-year-old and given club president Joan Laporta the green light to instigate a sale.
Join the debate! Do you think Torres would be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know here.
AC Milan and Tottenham are also believed to be interested in acquiring Torres' services - and Barcelona hope that interest from several parties could help them recoup a large chunk of the €55m (£47.5m) sum they shelled out on the player last year.
A return to the Premier League would see Torres come face-to-face with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who was a big fan of the "exceptional" forward and wanted to keep him at the club.
"I would say the last season Ferran played was exceptional," Guardiola said back in August 2021 when he was questioned about Torres' performances as City's No.9.
“He is a good finisher, he is so young. Man City made an incredible job buying him, a player who can play in three positions. He is an incredibly good finisher, the goal against Norwich that was disallowed the finishing was good. We are incredibly pleased with his movement his work ethic with many things."
