ARSENAL are reportedly exploring a shock move for Aston Villa star Jhon Duran – even though Alexander Isak remains their “dream target.”
The Gunners are in desperate need of attacking reinforcements after several injury blows.
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Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are both long-term absentees.
And Mikel Arteta is keen to add an out-and-out striker to his squad of title hopefuls.
The Londoners are known to be big fans of Newcastle superstar Isak, who has 19 goals in 25 games this season.
While RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has 14 in 27, has also been linked.
But now, Fabrizio Romano reckons that Villa ace Duran has emerged as a likely target before deadline day.
The Colombian has netted 12 goals in 29 games so far this term.
Duran, who recently signed a new long-term contract, was the subject of a failed £57million bid from West Ham earlier this month.
Villa are thought to want £80m to sell their young asset.
And Arsenal are now showing a strong interest in Duran, with “dream target” Isak deemed too expensive right now.
Romano told Give Me Sport: “What I’m told is Arsenal made a call in recent weeks to understand the situation of Duran.
“At the moment, there’s no green light from Leipzig for Sesko.
“Also Isak, the dream target of Arsenal, he’s super expensive. It’s almost very complicated, nothing in football is impossible but it’s very complicated.
“And so in recent weeks, Arsenal called to understand Duran’s situation, but there’s been no direct negotiations with Villa.”