It was reported on Friday that Atletico Madrid are ready to sell Adrian Lopez after falling out-of-favour with Diego Simeone.
The 25-year-old has been a long-term target of Arsenal’s and attempted to sign the striker in the January transfer window but nothing ensued.
However, Lopez has lost his place in starting line-up to Diego Costa this season, which could lead to the Spaniard requesting a move in the summer.
According to The Daily Express, reports in Spain claim Atletico are prepared to offload Lopez for as little as £8.5 million.
Southampton, Spurs, Liverpool and Everton are all believed to be keen on the Spaniard.
So if reports are to be believed, should Arsenal shell out £8.5 million to sign Lopez this summer? Based on his stats this season, I don’t think we should even consider the prospect of acquiring him.
Last season, Lopez managed to net 10 goals in 17 Europa League appearances (18 in 55 in all competitions) which made many European clubs sit up and take notice. However, this season has been very different for the Spain international. In 37 outings thus far, Lopez has only found the net five times, and has, as stated earlier, been overlooked by Simeone.
He has good technical ability and movement off the ball, but I don’t think he is what we are looking for anymore. We need to sign a proper striker who is lethal in front of goal, not another inside forward or second striker.
Lopez had his chance to join us and chose to stay put. Better options are out there for Wenger to mull over.
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Third choice striker for a Europa League team? No thanks. He was never prolific even when he was at his best and this is deadwood waiting to happen.