Arsenal transfer news: What needs to happen for Luka Jovic to join the Gunners?

Kylian Mbappe could help Arsenal solve their striker crisis in the January transfer window after the Frenchman’s latest transfer update.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Real Madrid have reportedly bid £41m to wrap up a January deal for the 22-year-old to avoid the risk of him signing a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain. 

If this deal goes through then it means Serbian striker Luka Jovic would be surplus to requirements, as he would fall further down in the pecking order at Los Blancos.

Arsenal need a striker, and he could be a perfect short-term option before Edu completes the deal of a top-quality forward in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal are looking for strikers

The Gunners have been heavily linked to forwards such as Dusan Vlahovic, Alexander Isak, and Jonathan David. However, these are deals that are more likely to be completed in the summer transfer window.

This is certainly the case for David, as his agent confirmed on a radio station by saying: Speaking to Radio Canada, Mavromaras said: “For us, the objective is to finish the season in Lille, but it will be his last season there for several reasons.”

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal have submitted an offer of £45.8m plus Lucas Torreira to Fiorentina for Vlahovic’s signature.

However, his agent is unwilling to hold any negotiations with interested parties, per the request of the frontman. Vlahovic would prefer to stay at Italy until the end of the season.

Jovic emerges as a perfect alternative for the Gunners

With Arsenal’s main targets not being available until the end of the season, the acquisition of Jovic would certainly be an excellent stop-gap signing.

According to the Express , Edu had lined up Jovic as a possible signing in the past, so the interest has already been registered by the Gunners. 

Despite his struggles in Spain, those who watched the Serbian during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt will be all too aware of the elite potential that he has.

He scored 27 goals for the German side during the 2018/2019 season as they had a historic run to the Europa League semi-final before eventually being knocked out by Chelsea in a penalty shootout.

His failure to adapt to life at Real Madrid should prevent Arsenal from trying to agree on a permanent transfer, but a loan move presents a minimal risk, which Mbappe could provide the key to put the wheels in motion for a deal.