Arsene Wenger has sent scouts to watch 24-year-old striker Ante Budimir, currently playing in the second tier of Italian football.
The former Croatian under-21 international is on loan with Serie B Crotone from German 2. Bundesliga side St Pauli.
According to Goal.com, he has attracted the interest of the north Londoners with his goalscoring streak of netting in the last five games, including one in a defeat to AC Milan in the Coppa Italia.
The interest is with an eye to provide backup to Olivier Giroud who is in a red-hot form, scoring six in the last four games.
Budimir reacted to the speculation in shock.
An Arsenal scout was watching me? Really? I didn’t know!
Wenger might be on the look out for a striker to ease the burden on Giroud and Budimir would fit the profile due to being a relative unknown and therefore wouldn’t expect to start.
Budimir has scored nine goals in 19 games so far this season.
Theo Walcott has played a role in attack in place of Giroud whilst Danny Welbeck has been injured. He has featured out wide predominantly, however, giving more reason for Wenger to recruit up front.
