Saturday 14th June, 2014
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has drawn up a three-man shortlist to add a world-class striker to his squad this summer.
Wenger had been hunting a striker last year, but failed in high-profile pursuits of Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain, the latter ultimately moving on to Napoli while the former remained at Anfield.
Instead Wenger broke the club's record transfer fee to sign attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
This year he is returning to his striking goal however and has narrowed down his choices to any one of three potential arrivals.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Wenger favours bringing in Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, while his second choice is AC Milan hitman Mario Balotelli; the third option is Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.
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Mandzukic is available following a fallout with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and has vowed to leave the club this summer. What fee the Bavarians are aiming to achieve from his sale is not yet clear however and several other clubs are keen.
Balotelli meanwhile is believed to be available for the right price, after Milan president Silvio Berlusconi warmed to the idea of selling the former Manchester City striker.
The availability of Benzema is far more suspect, following the Frenchman's successful campaign at Real Madrid and his partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in attack.
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