Arsenal Transfer News: Kostas Mitroglou a Bargain Option for Arsene Wenger

Recent reports have emerged linking Olympiakos attacker Kostas Mitroglou with a move to the Emirates Stadium as Arsene Wenger goes about beefing up his strike force.

Often, a player will shine in one of the continent's smaller leagues only to be found wanting when moving to one of the elite divisions, but 25-year-old Mitroglou looks to be the real deal.

According to a report from Nick Lustig of the Daily Star, Olympiakos manager Jose Miguel Michel is aware of the interest in his star forward and is accepting of the fact that his form in recent seasons is enough to attract the attention of Europe's big guns:

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We’ve known for some time that there has been interest from many clubs. But that’s only logical considering how well he has been doing lately.

There have been no concrete proposals so far, but if he keeps on doing well, it’s going to be hard to keep him.

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With Olivier Giroud currently holding down the Gunners' attack almost single-handedly, Wenger's eggs are very much in one basket, so to speak.

The Frenchman has found another gear after taking his time to adapt to life in England, but it's essential that cover be brought in to give Arsenal more of a cushion than the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Serge Gnabry are currently providing.

In terms of style, Mitroglou is a near opposite asset to Giroud. Fast, agile and tremendously tenacious in his pursuits, the Greek's success lies largely around pressuring his markers into mistakes and running directly at the defence, truer to his No. 9 jersey in that sense.

However, the striker is still malleable enough to play off the central striker and can offer support either as part of a pairing up top or as a lone front man, not too dissimilar to Luis Suarez—although that's not to compare the two in terms of overall quality.

This season, Mitroglou is averaging more than a goal per game for both club and country, per Transfermarkt, scoring 22 goals in 19 matches across all competitions.

Having netted in his last five consecutive Super League outings, it's worth noting that 12 of his goals have come in just four matches, the player netting four hat-tricks domestically and in the Champions League, showing his tendency to bag goals in bundles.

Talented enough to pose a threat on the starting line-up and yet not at the level where a first-team place would necessarily be demanded, Mitroglou would appear to be the perfect mix of immediate impact and future potential that Wenger needs right now.

Provided the North London outfit could come to an agreeable fee on his talents, Mitroglou would be a very welcome addition this winter, where he could finally get to test his mettle in more demanding surroundings.