5 Strikers Arsenal Should Consider in January Transfer Window

Arsenal were always going to be looking at bringing in a striker during the January transfer window, but injuries to Olivier Giroud and Nicklas Bendtner mean that it is now an essential priority.

With only three recognized forwards on their books, and with two of them injured, the Gunners may be forced to spend big in January. 

Let's face it: Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are guaranteed to sign a top-class striker over the next two windows, so why not do it in January?

When Wenger is convinced that he is signing the right man, he will back those convictions with cold, hard cash. Just look at his breaking of Arsenal's transfer record when he signed Mesut Ozil for £42.4 million from Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, as per Sky Sports.

The Gunners have been on a hot streak all season, and bringing in the right man in January could move them one step closer to winning their first Premier League title in almost a decade.

Here, Bleacher Report looks at five forwards that Wenger should most definitely run the rule over during the January transfer window.

Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco)

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First on the list is one of the most dangerous strikers in world football.

ESPN are reporting that Radamel Falcao is not all that happy at Monaco even though their manager, Claudio Ranieri, is denying any problems with the striker.

That, however, has not stopped rumors from arising in France that the striker is looking for a January move away from the principality. Chelsea are closely linked with the striker.

The striker is believed to be available for transfer from Monaco, and Soccerbase say he is priced at 5-2 for a January exit.

Falcao is valued at €60 million by Transfermarkt, so it would take some convincing to make Arsene Wenger part with with so much money.

The 5'10" striker may not fit the exact template of what Wenger wants in a forward at this very moment in time. However, his 187 goals in 286 career games mark him out as one of the most dangerous players around. 

Players this good do not come up on the market all that often, and capturing him would be akin to a double blow to title rivals Chelsea.

Dimitar Berbatov (Fulham)

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The signing of Dimitar Berbatov on a short-term, 18-month deal could make a lot of sense for Arsenal.

The Fulham striker is not exactly known or revered for his work rate, but he is technically excellent and is deceptively strong. Arsene Wenger would need to sort his positional discipline out as he tends to drift from his central role, but there is no denying the creative side to his game.

Berbatov would easily fill the temporary void should Olivier Giroud miss any games to injury. He is also far better at linking play than Lukas Podolski or Nicklas Bendtner. 

Sam Adams of Mirror Football state that Arsenal will make a £2 million bid for the striker over the coming month. His wage demands would not be a problem, nor would the fact that he has played for both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. 

Given the fact that the former Bulgarian international has only six months left on his current deal with Fulham, Wenger could sign him if he was able to send some loan players in the opposite direction.

The Cottagers relegation fears may stop this potential deal, but there are always solutions.

Jay Rodriguez (Southampton)

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Jay Rodriguez has grown hugely as a player over the last two seasons. The Southampton forward is now an England squad player and is one of the most technically gifted English players around.

He is capable of playing in a number of positions across the front line and would easily slot into Arsenal's plans.

The 6'1" striker has scored eight goals in 18 Premier League games this term, the same record as Olivier Giroud. He is strong and creative and likes to bring his wide players into the game just like Giroud. 

Arsenal's scouts have already run the rule over the striker, as per Nick Lustig of the Daily Star, so he is most definitely someone Wenger is thinking about. At 24, he is the right age and fits the right profile for an Arsenal player.

One thing to consider when signing him is the potential capture of his team-mate Adam Lallana.

The duo have developed a superb understanding of each other's game, and they are both good enough and technical enough to play for the Gunners. A joint bid of around £20 million could capture two potential stars of the future.

Michu (Swansea City)

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If money is no object, then Michu becomes an exciting prospect.

The Daily Express (h/t Mirror Football) reported in October that Arsenal and Liverpool were looking to sign the forward/midfielder.

The versatile and recently capped Spanish international is believed to be available for around £30 million. 

Arsene Wenger is a known fan of the Swansea City star and recently likened him to Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp. Wenger, according to Simon Cass, told the Daily Mail Online:

"

I see him like a little bit, position-wise, like a Bergkamp, more than an up-front striker. 

They can play with both [strikers at Swansea] because Michu’s the kind of striker who is a midfielder as well.

He can play both positions.

"

He is potentially a better striking option than Olivier Giroud and would offer the Gunners far more versatility up front.

To be fair to the Frenchman, he has started the season in outstanding form and a potential combination with Michu, who could drop into midfield, really looks appealing. It could also be appealing to Wenger given his earlier comments.

Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid)

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At the beginning of December, John Cross of Mirror Football reported that Arsene Wenger was not interested in either Alvaro Morata or Alexandre Pato.

However, that situation changed over Christmas, according to Cross, when Olivier Giroud got injured. 

Now that Nicklas Bendtner has joined the Frenchman on the sidelines, the need to sign a striker in January has grown exponentially.

Morata is one of the most exciting prospects at Real Madrid and is loved by their support and coaching team. That basically means that a full transfer will not happen but that a loan move may.

Morata's capture would paper over the cracks until the summer. 

It would be expecting too much to expect that young starlet to make a huge impact in just six months at the Emirates, especially in a title run.

Barcelona's Gerard Deulofeu is currently enjoying a similar style loan deal at Everton and is enjoying some success. It is worth noting though that the prodigious youth has only started two of the Toffees' 20 games this season and has featured as substitute 10 times. It would be fair to expect something similar from Morata.

Where this deal does make sense is if all of Arsenal's strikers are fit. 

The transfer window remains open for the entire month of January, and Wenger may gamble on making a decision, especially as the month contains two FA Cup fixtures. These weeks are basically rest weeks for injured players and will give Le Prof some wiggle room regarding transfers.

Should Giroud and Bendtner come back fully fit by the end of the month then the Morata deal looks more likely.

This loan deal could potentially be the first step in Arsenal going after a much bigger target in the summer. Wayne Rooney anyone?