Lopez

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has submitted a formal £10 million offer for Atletico Madrid forward Adrian Lopez, according to a report at Goal.com. However, that valuation falls £4 million short of the £14.7 million release clause in the forwards contract with the La Liga side.

It is understood that The Gunners opened formal negotiations with Atletico over a move just before Christmas and have just now made a concrete offer for the forward, who has scored 22 times over two seasons with his current club.

Wenger is said to be targeting Spain as his main source for a new goal scorer, and has made enquiries about the availability of Barcelona’s David Villa and Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente.

However, Lopez is only 24 and the younger of the trio of potential signings, which has made him Wenger’s number one transfer target.

Wenger has also not ruled out a third spell at the club for legendary Gunner’s striker Thierry Henry. A six-week loan spell for the clubs’ record goalscorer could be on the cards – however Henry would only be viewed as temporary cover for Gervinho, who will be on African Cup of Nation’s duty from the middle of January – rather than as a long term solution.

Meanwhile, it is believed the Gunners stopped just short of triggering Lopez’ release clause as a test of Atletico’s resolve – the forward has started just six of their 17 La Liga matches and they could be tempted to part with the player for less.

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