Arsenal plot loan move for Real Madrid flop with eye on permanent deal

Arsenal continued their fine run of form on Saturday, as they ran out 2-0 winners over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. 

Goals from Gabriel and Emile Smith-Rowe put the Gunners in a commanding position early on, and Mikel Arteta’s side held on to extend their unbeaten run to nine games since a heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in August.

Smith-Rowe’s goal continued his superb run of form of late, with the young Englishman having scored four goals and provided two assists in his past six games across all competitions.

Having sat bottom of the table at the end of August, Arteta’s side are now sixth and sit just three points adrift of the Champions League qualification places.

While the Spaniard seems to have finally got a tune out of his side, it appears that he is still keen on acquiring reinforcements when the transfer window reopens in January.

As per the Daily Star, the North London side are plotting a move for Real Madrid’s Luca Jovic.

The Serbian striker joined Real Madrid from German side Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019, but has played just 38 times for Los Blancos in the time since and looks likely to depart the Spanish capital in January.

Jovic has endured a tough time in the Spanish capital and could be on the move in January

Arsenal, meanwhile, are expected to let Alexandre Lacazette leave in the new year in order to avoid losing him for free when his contract expires next summer.

The Frenchman has made just five league appearances for the club in the league this season, and has only played the full 90 minutes once, in a Carabao Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon.

The Frenchman is therefore widely expected to leave in January and, with young striker Eddie Nketiah also expected to leave, Arteta would be short of striking options.

Jovic could therefore be a fitting replacement for Lacazette, and it is believed that Arsenal will launch an initial loan offer which will include an option to buy clause.

The 23-year-old announced himself on the European stage with ten goals in 14 games for Frankfurt in the Europa League in 2018/19, and also managed a further 17 goals in the Bundesliga.

Since arriving in Spain, however, it has been a different story. The Serbian international has scored just twice for Real and his time at the club looks set to come to and end.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti will likely let Jovic leave in January, and an initial loan with an option to make the move permanent could suit all parties.