Arsenal target Raphinha, Alvarez and two strikers as Arteta eyes January and summer reinforcements

Arsenal are tracking a shortlist of five players — including Barcelona captain Raphinha and Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez — as Mikel Arteta looks to address an attacking shortfall that persisted through the summer window.

The Gunners spent close to £200 million this summer, bringing in midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, defender Ezri Konsa and left-back Piero Hincapie. Christos Tzolis, signed from Club Brugge, was the only dedicated attacking addition. Arteta had publicly called on the club to “make some very important decisions” during the window, but attempts to land Alvarez from Atletico Madrid and Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid both fell through. The departures of Gabriel Jesus, sold to Barcelona, and Gabriel Martinelli, who joined Al-Hilal for £60 million, left the forward line thinner than Arteta would have wanted.

Julian Alvarez remains a name Arsenal have not abandoned. The 26-year-old Argentina international ultimately stayed at Atletico Madrid despite reported interest from Barcelona, and his situation could evolve over the coming months. A move to the Emirates would represent a significant coup for Arsenal’s attack.

Eli Junior Kroupi is described by The Independent as a target Arsenal will “almost certainly” revisit in January. Bournemouth held firm on the 20-year-old this summer, partly because he was recovering from injury, but his 13 league goals for the Cherries last season attracted widespread attention. With Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres competing for the central striker role, adding Kroupi would give Arteta meaningful depth and a long-term option.

Andreas Schjelderup is a longer-term prospect. The 22-year-old Norwegian winger is under contract at Benfica until 2028, but will enter the final 12 months of that deal next summer — a dynamic that could reduce his transfer fee considerably. With Tzolis and Eberechi Eze currently the options on the left flank, Schjelderup would add competition and developmental upside.

Raphinha represents the most high-profile name on the list. The 29-year-old Barcelona captain will be in the final year of his contract next summer, potentially making him available at a reduced cost or even on a free. The Brazilian’s experience and output at the top level would offer Arsenal an immediate wide option of genuine quality.

Arsenal’s current attacking group — which also includes Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka — means Arteta is not without options. But the club’s failure to add a proven centre-forward this summer has left a visible gap, and the names being monitored suggest the recruitment team is already planning to close it.