Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Gunners Should Make Move for Alvaro Morata

Reports this weekend suggest that Arsene Wenger has been keeping tabs on young Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. With Arsenal lacking in forward options aside from Olivier Giroud, it is certainly a move the Gunners should be looking to make.

According to the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel, Arsenal are in competition with Tottenham to pick up Morata on a six-month loan deal from Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old is very highly thought of by Los Blancos, but despite his obvious potential, he has seen little in terms of first-team football this season.

Despite racing clear at the top of table, there are still some who doubt whether Arsenal can be genuine title contenders, with many pointing toward their lack of striking reinforcements.

Giroud has been excellent so far, but aside from him there is little in terms of real quality in the Arsenal ranks. That is where Morata can be a really astute capture.

If he were to join up with Arsenal, you suspect he would see much more action. The Gunners look almost certain to qualify for the last four of the Champions League and will no doubt be hoping to go long into the FA Cup too. Subsequently, Wenger will be looking to rotate Giroud in and out of the side. Morata would be a more-than-able deputy.

The Spanish under-21 international is a player who is capable of adapting to the rigors of Premier League football; he has a bit of everything about him.

He’s quick, strong and elegant on the ball. Perhaps most importantly, he has an exceptionally cool head in front of goal. He has netted twice this season in 10 domestic appearances, although he has only started one game in La Liga

"

Some speculation in Spain that Arsenal are after Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata on loan. Would make sense for us; not so sure for RM.

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) November 30, 2013"

As Mokbel makes reference to in his article, though, this deal could well be dependent on what business Madrid conduct this summer. Karim Benzema is the only real senior option at centre-forward, and if Carlo Ancelotti cannot bolster his forward line with another high-calibre striker, then you suspect Morata will be going nowhere.

Nonetheless, if Luis Suarez or Robert Lewandowski rock up at the Bernabeu in January, as suggested by Mokbel in his article, then you suspect Morata will be off. Arsenal would be wise to take advantage of this excellent young talent while they can.

Players often cost a premium in January, and with Wenger notably stingy with his transfer dealings, a loan deal could be the best option. It would relieve the pressure on Giroud and give Morata an experience of foreign football that could really aid his development. He could also learn a lot from Giroud, who has developed into an excellent all-round centre-forward.

Over to you, Real Madrid!