Arsenal are set to make an approach for Greece international Konstantinos Mitroglou in the summer transfer window.
According to the Portuguese publication A Bola (via Tutto Mercato Web), the Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had identified the 28-year-old as one of the first choice targets to strengthen his side's attacking division for the next season.
Mitroglou joined Fulham in January 2014 on a four-and-a-half year deal. However, after the Cottagers were relegated from the Premier League, he was looking at other options after enduring a horrid time in London.
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The frontman returned to Olympiacos on a season-long loan deal in the summer, the same year. The forward was once again loaned back, this time he joined Portuguese champions Benfica until the end of the 2015/16 season.
The Mirror reports Benfica has an option to buy Mitroglou for a fee of €7m (£5.56m), but it should be seen whether the former Olympiacos man will join the Portuguese side on a permanent transfer after the end of the current campaign.
Mitroglou has impressed so far during his time with the Primeira Liga outfit, scoring 22 goals in 39 appearances. His form for Benfica has seen him attract interest from the north London club as Wenger looks to bolster his strike force for the next season.
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Arsenal currently have the services of Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Joel Campbell and Theo Walcott, who can play in the striker's position. The former Manchester United forward Welbeck has struggled with injuries for the majority of the season and has only recently returned to the first team.
Since the England international's return from the injury, he has been the first choice player for the Emirates club, ahead of Giroud. It will be interesting to see whether Wenger still keeps faith in Giroud even after his dip in form.
Walcott meanwhile is the player who is expected to be heading for an exit in the summer as his poor form has seen him lose his place in the starting lineup. Wenger has preferred Alex Iwobi, Campbell, Alexis Sanchez and even Aaron Ramsey in the wide position ahead of him. Arsenal manager has urged Walcott to decide on what would be his preferred playing position.
"The problem with Theo is he wants to play on the right and through the middle. You have to fix yourself somewhere. When he doesn’t go through the middle, he thinks maybe for me it’s better on the right," Wenger said.
Should Walcott be allowed to leave after the end of the season, Mitroglou could take his place in the Gunners squad.
