Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger Preparing Fernando Llorente Loan Deal

According to Goal, Arsenal are preparing to add depth to their strikeforce with the addition of Juventus striker Fernando Llorente in January. Despite being top of the Premier League, five points clear of the rest of the top four, many have doubted whether Arsenal can actually become real title contenders this season. Manager, Arsene Wenger intends to prove these critics wrong and finally add a second first-team striker to his team in hopes that they can continue their run well into the new year. The London-based club currently have just one out and out striker in Olivier Giroud, which is one of the main reasons why critics doubt Arsenal's chances. With that being said the club's midfield have been unstoppable with Aaron Ramsey, Santi Carzola and Mesut Ozil all in sensational form. The same source claims that should Arsenal be unsuccessful in their attempt to sign Llorente, they would look at the possibility of signing Serie A forward, Stephan El Shaarawy. Arsenal were linked with several big name signings all summer with the likes of Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, Gonzalo Higuain, Steven Jovetic and Demba Ba, but when they were unsuccessful they shocked the world by completing the signing of attacking midfielder and assist machine Mesut Ozil. With Rooney and Suarez likely to stay at their respective clubs, Wenger has now started to look further afield although with Llorente playing second fiddle to former Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez and loan deal is looking promising The 28-year-old who joined on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao in the summer had been linked previously with a move to the Emirates but a deal couldn't be agreed.