Arsenal Transfers: 11 Strikers Linked with January Moves to the Gunners

While Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has recently been noted as having ruled out a swoop for a striker in January, according to the IBTimes, there is no doubt that it could all be a tactic to throw his competition off.

The longer the season has gone on, the more and more noticeable it is that the Gunners lean back on their Dutch forward, Robin van Persie, like a girl scout hoping the trust fall she is attempting will actually work out.

Many players are currently circled around in the media as possible targets for the London club, and in reality many more might be possibilities than we all think.

No matter what happens, it is a glaring need that must be addressed either in the January window or the summer.

Roberto Soldado

Valencia front man Roberto Soldado has been linked to moves around the European leagues, as well as with Arsenal.

The Spanish attacker has been knocking in goals left and right with Getafe and now Valencia, and so far has 14 to his name this campaign.

He would be an excellent addition to the Arsenal front line, plus they might get him at a slight discount since he has yet to become a major Spanish national team player.

Marco Reus

Borussia Monchengladbach's 22-year-old starlet Marco Reus is a hot transfer target of German giant's Bayern Munich, with Arsenal another team in the running for his signature.

However, with Manchester City being another major player linked to him, there could be some stiff financial competition for his services.

Olivier Giroud

French Ligue 1 Orange table-toppers Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud is rumored to be on Arsenal's shopping list, as well as Newcastle United's.

The 25-year-old attacker is the league's leading scorer on 12 goals and could provide great cover behind Robin van Persie.

Luuk De Jong

Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase for FC Twente forward Luuk De Jong. According to the IBTimes, both Arsenal and Liverpool are keen on the player, who is valued around £8 million.

A solid first half of the season in the Dutch Eredivisie could see the 21-year-old make a trip across the English Channel to London if the Gunners do indeed make a move.

Alexandre Pato

The Gunners have been linked with what would be a sensational move for AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato.

Valued at close to £35 million, the Brazilian has already scored 50 goals in 105 appearances for his current club.

If Robin van Persie were to leave, Pato would be an interesting replacement to say the least.

Loic Remy

Loic Remy of Olympique Marseille has been on Arsenal's radar for awhile, and with the threat of losing Robin van Persie still very possible despite the Gunners recent run of form, it will be necessary to find a worthy replacement.

Remy could offer a decently affordable option, and at only 24, he has plenty of time to grow in value if he is to be sold later on down the road.

Karim Benzema

Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema was linked with a move to Arsenal this July, but the rumors died down. However, with Madrid looking to capture Eden Hazard from Lille, Benzema could be expendable.

He was thought to be moving for around £27 million this summer and could move for around that same amount if he is linked once more with the Emirates.

Eden Hazard

Lille and Belgian national team star Eden Hazard has been no secret target of Arsene Wenger and the Gunners.

The talented young player looks to be ready to make a move, but his price tag is believed to be around the £43 million mark, according to rumors in the Daily Mail.

Arsenal more than likely will not have the cash to compete with the likes of Real Madrid if Los Bloncos also go after the playmaker.

Moussa Sow

Another Lille striker linked with the Gunners has been Moussa Sow. The young forward looks to be seeking to reunite with Gervinho in London.

At the beginning of December he issued a come-and-get-me plea to Arsenal, according to the Daily Mail.

Mario Goetze

Borussia Dortmund's "German Messi," as Mario Goetze has been dubbed, is another high-profile target for the London-based Gunners.

In most cases he is a more likely candidate for transfer than Eden Hazard, as he will likely be less costly, even with that number being an estimated £30 million or so.

Metro reports that Goetze is perhaps the hottest tracked target for the Gunners at the moment.

Check out Bleacher Report featured columnist Vijay Murali and his most recent Arsenal piece in support of the signing of Goetze, Arsenal Transfers: 11 Reasons Gunners Must Sign Mario Goetze in January.

Lukas Podolski

FC Koln and German international forward Lukas Podolski has been in the Arsenal rumor mill for the last few weeks. He has been prolific throughout his German national team career but at the age of 26 is just now starting to fulfill his promise at Cologne.

As the January window creeps closer, the possibility of his move to the Emirates seems to be heating up. If he continues to prove he has finally found his scoring boots in a domestic league, he would be a great addition to the Arsenal front line.

Conclusion

The count down to January continues and Arsenal are one of the most tracked teams heading into the winter transfer window.

While many rumors are just that, it will be great to see what materializes in the 31 days at the first of 2012.

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