According to reports from The Daily Star this morning, Arsenal have entered the race to sign Dynamo Moscow star Aleksandr Kokorin after missing out on Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.
The Gunners were linked with the France international for much of the summer, with Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli even claiming last week that he’d have a medical at Emirates yesterday.
But Benzema put rumours to bed on Monday night by posting on his Twitter account; “For all those clowns who want to make believe things at my fans. Here this is my home! #HalaMadridYNadaMas.”
And according to The Daily Star – who cite reports from the Russian media via The Metro – that has turned Arsenal’s attentions towards Dynamo Moscow’s flagship forward Aleksandr Kokorin.
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The 24 year-old comes highly-rated and boasts 45 goals in 193 appearances for the Russian outfit, 28 of which have come in his last 71 league outings. The 32-cap international also featured for Russia at last summer’s World Cup, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Algeria.
Kokorin’s agent confirmed last week that he’s already holding talks with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, telling reporters; “Right now I’m working on Kokorin’s transfer. United and Tottenham are interested in his services. There are many reasons to think that it will [happen] in one of two teams before August 31.”
But it appears they now face late competition from Arsenal; whilst the British tabloid claim PSG could also enter the race over the next few days. With his contract set to expire in 2016, it’s believed the Russian capital outfit could part with Kokorin for just £8million.