Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Antoine Griezmann and Aleksandr Kokorin Rumours

A world-class striker signing remains a priority for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger next year following reports the north London club are reviving interest in attacking duo Antoine Griezmann and Aleksandr Kokorin.

The Gunners will have to wait until next summer before making their move for Atletico Madrid star Griezmann, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes (via Metro's Will Giles).

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

One can expect this particular hunt to heat up quickly, though, as it's reported Wenger wants to wrap up a deal before Euro 2016 gets underway on June 10.

The Arsenal boss is evidently a fan of his countryman, and OptaJean has pointed out Diego Simeone's front man as the nation's in-form talent:

The France international has five goals and three assists to his name across all competitions this season and has grown to embrace a more central striking role since moving to the Vicente Calderon last summer.

His flourishing form with Atletico is no surprise to former Real Sociedad team-mate Alberto De la Bella, who has stated Griezmann "lives for football" before facing Los Rojiblancos on Sunday, per Spanish newspaper AS:

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I’m not surprised in the slightest by how well Antoine has been playing. I’ve spent many games playing together with him on the same wing and apart from being very gifted technically and tactically, he has great ambition and a desire to succeed – he is someone who lives for football. 

He has really come on and his game has improved in leaps and bounds. Right now, I’d put him amongst the top players in Europe. He’s playing at an incredibly very high level and he’s learning a lot about the game from Simeone. I’ll wish him all the best on Sunday, but only after the game has finished! We’ll have to keep a close eye on him, whether he’s attacking us through the centre or down the wing because he is capable of causing havoc.

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Taking into account the pre-tournament training camp and holiday that's likely to come at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, it leaves Arsenal with little time to negotiate if they're looking to bargain over a deal.

Wenger is said to believe Griezmann's value will only rise at Euro 2016, and one can see where his interest comes from after seeing the 24-year-old transfer his talents from the wing to a more central role.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

The attacker has always held the ability to play more centrally, but he has only adapted this position more permanently under Simeone, resulting in a career-best haul of 24 goals in 46 appearances last season.

It's the kind of ratio Wenger would be hoping he's capable of transferring to the Premier League should Griezmann be lured, but the question is whether Arsenal are willing to part with the funds necessary to take another Atleti talisman to England.

Risto Bozovic/Associated Press

The Gunners may also need to pay a pretty penny if they're to land Dynamo Moscow forward Kokorin, who was linked with a deadline-day switch to the Emirates Stadium this past summer.

According to the Sun (h/t ESPN FC), Arsenal will go back in for the Russia international this January, and agent Cyril Loginov has previously proclaimed a move is still on the cards, per David Wright of the Daily Express:

"

Aleksandr, if all well informed, still has a chance [to move in the future] and not just to Arsenal. If Dinamo refused to give Aleksandr to Arsenal in the past transfer window, it does not mean that he can’t be where he wants [in the next window].

We have a very good relationship with the coaching staff and the management of the football club Dynamo Moscow. We have, of course, been notified.

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The lingering questions in follow-up to those comments are whether north London is the destination Kokorin "wants," and if so, what it will take to get him there.

That much is up for debate, though, after Sport Witness provided further quotes from Kokorin's representation, leaving some doubt as to whether Arsenal is the move for him:

A cut-price deal is aided by the fact Kokorin's current Dynamo deal expires next summer, and the Sun has reported Arsenal are willing to offer £7 million in order to sign him this winter.

Alternatively, the Gunners would be free to sanction a pre-contract agreement this January prior to completing a free transfer for the 24-year-old next summer, should Wenger be willing to place his faith in Theo Walcott.

The Englishman has six goals to his name this season since being moved into that central position at the expense of Olivier Giroud, but fans may yet yearn for a more recognised name up front, a pressure that's likely to tell come January.

Kokorin is in decent form of his own after bagging three goals in seven league appearances this term, and Arsenal may be tempted into moving for a man who would offer a different dimension to their front line.