Arsene Wenger targets £15m striker

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez his number one target for the January transfer window.

The Frenchman is a keen admirer of the Spaniard and, after failing to sign the 24-year-old in the summer, is expected to try to trigger the forward's £14.6m release clause in his contract in the New Year.

With Theo Walcott stalling on a new contract and Gervinho expected to represent Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations, Wenger is eager to tie down Lopez at the start of the transfer window.

"Adrian fits the bill for Arsenal," a source told Goal.com. "There is interest in Llorente but he is too similar to Giroud. Wenger wants a striker who is more pacey and can run in behind.

"They feel they can get Adrian for a reasonable price because of the buy-out clause. Wenger wants the deal done at the beginning of January."

Lopez has been hailed in some quarters as the new David Villa.