Arsenal are reportedly looking to make a move for Chelsea target Anderson Talisca as a replacement for their striker Lukas Podolski, who is tipped to leave the Emirates in January.
Talisca, who completed a €4 million move from Brazilian side Bahia to Benfica this summer, has been in excellent form this season, topping the Portuguese Primeira Liga scoring charts with 6 goals in 7 appearances.
Although the 20-year-old Brazilian's impressive performances have reportedly caught the eye of Chelsea, Arsenal are confident they can win the race to secure his signature in January, according to the Daily Star.
Arsene Wenger's scouts were reportedly present during Brazil's U-21 clash against Bolivia U-21 to keep an eye on Talisca.
Arsenal's decision to sign a new striker has been prompted by the news of Podolski being unhappy with his current situation at the club, and wanting out in January.
Although Podolski was expected to leave the Emirates this summer, with Serie A side Inter Milan reportedly interested in his signature, Wenger was forced to keep the German after Olivier Giroud sustained a broken tibia, ruling him out for four months.
However, the French striker's injury did not open a spot for Podolski in the first team as Wenger bought Danny Welbeck from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, pushing the German further down the pecking order.
And now the former Bayern Munich striker, who has not started in any Premier League game this season, has insisted that he will be leaving the Emirates in January if his situation with the club does not improve.
"I have assessed my position in the team, and it has to change now," he told the Daily Star. "Let's see what happens in the winter. The fact is that I'm not happy with it, that's clear."
Podolski, who was transferred from FC Köln to Arsenal in the summer of 2012 for a transfer fee of around £9.6 million, has made 28 goals in 74 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.
