According to reports, Arsenal is confident that they can sign Barcelona forward Ferran Torres in January. The Spain international signed for the Blaugrana in January after a brief stint with Manchester City, but he has already fallen behind Barca's new attacking additions in the pecking order.
Torres has been limited to six La Liga appearances and one Champions League start this season since both Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha moved to Camp Nou in the summer.
Despite having trouble getting minutes, the 22-year-old nonetheless achieved five goals and one assist from 18 appearances in the 2022-23 season, Moreover, he also scored twice for Spain in the four World Cup games.
Although Torres's deal with Barcelona won't end for another four and a half years, Arsenal is rumoured to be a fan and may make an offer to the Blaugrana in 2023.
Dean Jones, a journalist, claims that Arsenal "senses" that Torres would be up for sale in a month and that Mikel Arteta's team might rekindle their interest after having contact about a summer deal that ultimately did not happen.
"They really like Ferran Torres, and they clearly believe he might become available because they inquired about him in the summer as well,"
Jones told GIVEMESPORT.
"So, if they're sniffing around him again now, they sense that something's up."
Torres has scored 12 goals and assisted on seven more in 44 games for Barcelona after moving back to his native country over the winter. Prior to that, he had 16 goals and four assists in 43 games while wearing a Man City jersey.
The adaptability of the former Valencia player might be a valuable asset for Arteta, who must prepare for the upcoming months without Gabriel Jesus due to the Brazilian's knee surgery.
Jesus, who was injured while playing for Brazil at the World Cup, is anticipated to miss three months, leaving Eddie Nketiah as the only senior number nine for Arsenal.
Gabriel Martinelli, who has been primarily played as a left flank this season, might also be moved to a central position as Arsenal continues to seek for a January deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Gunners are interested in signing Mudryk, who is also thought to be keen on a mid-season move to North London, according to Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini, who has stated as much.
The 21-year-old is reportedly concerned that Shakhtar is pricing him out of a move to Arsenal because the Ukrainian powerhouses are holding out for a transfer fee of of €100 million (£88.2 million) to let him depart.
Emile Smith Rowe, who is recovering from groyne surgery and could be back in first-team action in the New Year, will soon be back, giving Arteta some encouragement.
Smith Rowe's recovery might allow Martinelli to fight Nketiah for the striker slot as Arsenal attempt to retain or enhance their five-point advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, with the Gunners renewing their title charge at home to West Ham United on Boxing Day.
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