Rafael Leao opened up on his admiration for Arsenal - just as Mikel Arteta promised that he "can get a striker" in the January transfer window.
The Gunners are scouring the market for a new centre-forward after Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery which will take months to recover from. The north Londoners emerged from Christmas Day a the top of the Premier League table and Emirates Stadium chiefs are desperate to continue the unexpected title charge.
Arteta insists he will receive the backing he needs to sign a new forward but warned he will only splash the cash on a player who will "make the team better". Leao, 23, would certainly improve Arsenal's quality having scored 11 goals to help AC Milan win Serie A last season, while also netting twice at the World Cup for Portugal.
The former Lille forward put the Gunners on red alert over the festive period by admitting he has a soft spot for their style of play, raising hopes he could move to the Premier League giants in the new year. "I've seen a lot of games this year," Leao told Portuguese-speaking outlet RDP Africa. "I like Arsenal, I think they play very well."
Prior to delivering his glowing verdict on the Gunners and saying he would like to play in the Premier League, Leao said: "I'm 100 per cent focused on Milan. I'm at a top club and I'm under contract. I also like the city of Milan."
Leao's eye-catching remark on Arsenal came as Arteta said he "can guarantee" he will buy a striker if the club can identify the right one.
Would you like to see Arsenal sign Rafael Leao in the January transfer window? Have your say in the comments!
"We knew the importance of getting players early in the summer and that is the same we want to do in January," Arteta said, per Metro. "This is idealistic. Sometimes, it is not realistic. But obviously, if you ask my opinion, as quick as possible we want the players in to get settled."
Speaking ahead of Boxing Day's clash with West Ham, Arteta added: "We can get a striker, I can guarantee you that. But what we can not afford to do is get a player here that is not for us. This is what we can not afford, that is for sure.
"We don't need a body, we need players that make the team better. I think personalities that have the mentality that we want to win. And we have to focus on that. We have to be very strict with what we have done and the policy we have had to make the team successful."
