Arsenal Transfers: Arsene Wenger Interested in Colombian Sensation Luis Muriel

The Daily Mail has suggested that Arsene Wenger's search for more firepower and creativity for the forward areas has taken him to Udinese's Luis Muriel.

The 20 year old has been given the moniker the "Colombian Cristiano Ronaldo" and is said to also be a target for the likes of Juventus and AC Milan.

Muriel is certainly an exciting young talent, with the skill and creativity to thrive at Arsenal. Serie A fans will be familiar with his standout performances for Leece this season.

Muriel has showcased his pace and trickery, as well as his eye for a defense opening pass. He has bagged five goals and notched four assists for Leece this campaign.

Blessed with physical strength that belies his diminutive stature, Muriel poses a direct threat to a back four. He is able to rely on a powerful shot and is a consistent danger from distance.

Arsenal's suggested interest echoes sentiments alluded to in the Daily Telegraph, suggesting Wenger wants to add another technically proficient forward, along with imminent signing Lukasz Poldolski.

Yet the question is, how can the Gunners boss expect to accommodate all these options? In the wide positions of Arsenal's front three, he can call upon Gervinho, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

That's without mentioning a veteran like Yossi Benayoun, whose future appears uncertain and promising starlet Ryo Miyaichi, who continues to impress with Bolton Wanderers.

Gervinho has struggled for form in the last month, but he commanded a big fee when Arsenal snatched from Lille last summer. It may be too soon to give up on the Ivory Coast international after only one season.

Benayoun is currently on loan and his lack of appearances indicates that he may well have to opt for pastures new at the conclusion of this campaign. Questions also persist about the worth of lacklustre duo Marouane Chamakh and Ju Young Park.

So Wenger might be wise to invest in significant reinforcements for the forward line. A player like Muriel, who many may view as a winger, could easily develop into the kind of roving, fleet-footed forward that defines attacking football in the modern game.

The Mail projects the fee in the £8 million range. Interestingly, the Telegraph still links Arsenal with a possible move for Junior Hoilett, a player this author believes the Gunners should acquire.

The Blackburn Rovers star will be available on a free transfer this summer and has recently proved how effective he can be as a forward given a free role.