Arsenal’s £28m dream strike partner (or replacement) for Robin Van Persie:

If Arsenal happen to sign another striker during this transfer window, he will no doubt be labelled a replacement for Robin Van Persie by the Press. For my money, however, Arsenal are in dire need of another forward to compete with the likes of RVP and newbie Lukas Podolski for one of the striking roles at the club. The Dutchman took up way too much of the slack last season when it came to the goalscoring burden and this will have to be spread throughout the team this next year. If the Gunners do sign another forward, let’s not jump to conclusions.

Which brings me to The Daily Mail’s claim that Arsenal are trailing Athletic Bilbao’s powerhouse forward Fernando Llorente. Many people are keen to dismiss this rumour as Twitter transfer tittle-tattle with little evidence to support it. Whatever the case, you can’t help but feel that he could be the signing that could lift the Gunners out of their seven year slumber.

The 27-year-old Spanish forward has just a year left on his Athletic contract and thus may be available for considerably less than his £36m release clause. Indeed the Mail quotes a figure of £28m – a fee that would smash Arsenal’s previous transfer record.

Whilst a good number of fans were hoping the Gunners would compete for the likes of Eden Hazard, Llorente would arguably make for a more astute signing. With the likes of Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Podolski and the Ox in tow, Arsenal need strikers way more than they nee d wingers.

Llorente scored 30 goals in all competitions last season (and 24 goals the season previous) and impressed against the likes of Manchester United in the Europa League. He’s clearly got goal-scoring prowess. Best of all, he’d represent a break from the typical Arsenal striker.

Whilst he’s plenty graceful, he’s also strong and forceful. He’s tough to bully off the ball, can hold up play and link-up well with the midfield. Defenders tend to bounce off him and he’s got great aerial dominance. Arsenal are often criticised for an inability to find a Plan B. Llorente may well represent an opportunity for the Gunners to start converting more of their crosses into goals.

With these attributes, it strikes me that he’d be an ideal partner for RVP – who may well relish the opportunity to play alongside such a talented striker.

He’s got finishing ability, fancy feet, tenacity and physicality. He’s also bullied a Manchester United defence. What’s not to love?

So should Arsenal break their transfer record and bring in Fernando Llorente?

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