Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic and Malaga's 20-year old sensation Isco are, along with a new goalkeeper, top of Arsene Wenger's shopping list this summer.
The Arsenal manager is hoping that his current side can sneak into the top four at the expense of North London rivals Spurs by the end of the season, which would allow the Frenchman to take advantage of both the allure of Champions League football and a healthier transfer budget in his bid to bring proven quality to the Emirates for next season.
Jovetic has spoken fondly of Arsenal's reported interest in him as he prepares for a likely summer move away from Florence, claiming that he has 'always had an affinity for Arsenal' and that the possibility of a move to North London is 'tempting'.
The Montenegrin forward has hit 12 goals in 24 Serie A appearances so far this season and is also attracting interest from Juventus and Manchester City, but his current side are thought to be unwilling to sell their talismanic 23-year old to a rival Italian club.
Speaking on this week's Arsing Around podcast, Michael Keshani suggested that Jovetic would be the ideal striker for Arsene Wenger's system and the Gunners' style of play, and also pointed to Jovetic having so far in his career placed football and a team that suits his game above any other factors when it has come to the possibility of him moving in the past.
FIFA agent Di Domenico has gone as far as to announce that Jovetic has 'already given a go ahead for a move to Arsenal' and that it will simply come down to whether or not the Gunners can match Fiorentina's valuation of the player, which is thought to be around £23,000,000.
Extra funds made available by the much publicised Fly Emirates sponsorship deal, as well as the impending announcement of an improved kit deal with Nike, are just some of the reasons why Arsene Wenger finds himself with the funds available to pursue Jovetic.
The Arsenal manager also wants to add Malaga midfielder Isco to his ranks. The Spaniard has been tipped for great things in his homeland and recently helped his side to the last-eight of the Champions League thanks to a wonderful strike against Porto.
Malaga's financial troubles have recently been eased by the sales of Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal to Arsenal, and a healthy relationship between the sides could make any potential deal easier to put together.
Reports surfaced in January that Arsenal had placed a massive £30,000,000 bid for an unnamed player, and emergences since then have all fingers pointing to Isco as the man at the subject of the bid.
Goalkeepers is one area where Wenger has yet to enjoy much success in the transfer market and he is yet to narrow down his search, but there is thought to be substance to reports linking Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes to Arsenal. Wenger only wants an experienced, somewhat stopgap, goalkeeper as he still has faith in Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski, although the latter Pole may choose not to renew his contract this summer.
Valdes has made it clear that he will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season, whilst Reina is thought to be replaceable at Anfield.
Arsene Wenger's targets represent massive intent on the part of the Frenchman to bring Arsenal back into contention for the big prizes as the club look to take advantage of financial spending potential not yet seen on the red side of North London.
We need a world class CDM and that should be first priority, Capoue would be good. RB is also a problem with Sagna at the end of his contract and Jenks to young. I think Darryl Jaramat would be a great replcemnt for Sagna who should leave. Then there's CB where Vemaelen isn't hiself, and Koshelny and Mertesacker not quite good enough. I won't talk about Squllachi and Djorou. We need 2 more, Ogbonna would be a good signing, as would Adil Rami. Also, I feel a winger would be good considering we have just Podolski, Walcott, Oxlade Chambelain and Gerviniho (who should move on. I've heard we are close to signing Affely. We also need a striker, as you pointed out, as Giroud isn't good enough. Jovetic would be good but is better behind the striker and although he would be a good signing still, we need someone who's best position is a striker like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. CAM has competition with Cazorla, Wilshire and Rosicky. Although Cazorla is talented and is world class on his day, he is inconsistent and Isco would be an excellent addition. GK is a position which we have Szczesny who is talented. However there is no competition there and a new keeper would provide competition. Either Stephane Ruffier or Mattia Perrin would be good.
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