Arsenal are among three English Premier League clubs looking to prise away Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.
According to reports in England, Benteke is also interesting Manchester United and Tottenham along with the Gunners.
Arsenal are in desperate need of reinforcements in the striking department with Olivier Giroud overburdened in that particular position at the moment.
Nicklas Bendtner has been poor whenever given an opportunity while summer signing Yaya Sanogo has been on the treatment table for much of the season.
Signs of Giroud tiring have been quite evident and it is clear starting in every single Premier League and Champions League game so far this season, that too as a lone striker, is taking its toll on the French international, who is currently with the national team trying to help them qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Arsene Wenger has been scouring all possible footballing lands in search of a potent striker, and has reportedly set his eyes on Benteke as one of his main targets.
Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez are the two names that continue to be linked with moves, but if Real Madrid and Liverpool refuse to sell, then Wenger will be forced to look elsewhere.
Aston Villa, also, have no compulsion to let go of Benteke in the January transfer window, with the Belgian only signing a new deal in the summer.
However, with Arsenal, Spurs and United all showing an interest, Villa might be forced to reconsider if they were to receive an offer they cannot refuse.
United are not in desperate need of a striker, with Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck already in their ranks, but David Moyes is a big fan of Benteke, according to the Daily Star.
Spurs were heavily linked with a move for the Belgian international, who will turn 23 in a couple of weeks' time, and Andre Villas-Boas will reportedly go back for Benteke in the winter window.
Wenger's needs, though, are undoubtedly the highest and with Benteke a self-confessed Arsenal fan, the manager might not have too much trouble in persuading the big striker to move to the Emirates.
It will be convincing Villa that will be the problem, and unless Arsenal take out their wallet and show some serious money, a move is unlikely.
Wenger might also look at bringing a more pacey, mobile centre-forward to Arsenal in the January window as a better alternative, which is why the likes of Suarez or even Stephan El Shaarawy seems like a better option.
During the Manchester United game, Arsenal seriously lacked a player who can make those runs using his pace down the middle, and while Wenger does have Theo Walcott, who is expected to return soon from injury, at his disposal, bringing in another speedy forward, comfortable playing through the middle, might not be such a bad idea.
