Arsenal Transfer News: Aleksandr Kokorin, Karol Linetty, Ademola Lookman Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly agreed to personal terms with Dynamo Moscow forward Aleksandr Kokorin, who could join the Gunners in January or as a free agent during the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the club is also watching Lech Poznan's Karol Linetty and Charlton Athletics' Ademola Lookman, per reports.

According to Russian newspaper Izvestia (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), Arsenal tried to sign Kokorin last summer but couldn't come to terms with Dynamo, but given Kokorin's status as an upcoming free agent, the Russian club could be willing to sell him in a cut-price deal in January, costing the Gunners just £4.3 million.

If a deal doesn't come to fruition, Kokorin will simply agree to a pre-contract in January and join the club after the season.

The 24-year-old, who can play as both a striker and attacking midfielder, is enjoying another solid season with Dynamo and has already scored four goals in eight Russian Premier League matches, per WhoScored.com.

He's an extremely confident and skillful finisher who moves very well in space, and given his tendency to drop back into midfield and always be on the move, he'd be a strong fit for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's attacking philosophy.

As you can see in this video, scoring comes natural to Kokorin:

The Russia international is perhaps best suited in a role as a false nine or next to a more physical striker, although he more than holds his own when asked to shield the ball and wait for midfielders to run into the box. His mobility remains his best asset, however, and in many ways, he's similar to current Arsenal forward Theo Walcott.

Kokorin may not be the world-class forward fans would love their club to buy, but for a minimal investment or as a free agent, he presents incredible value. Certain fans may still be haunted by vision from Andrey Arshavin, but Kokorin is a very different player and one who would be much cheaper.

Meanwhile, Polish outlet Polsat Sport (h/t Metro's Will Giles) claims the Gunners are scouting Lech Poznan's Linetty, a 20-year-old central midfielder who has burst onto the scene in the 2015-16 campaign and would fit a need following injuries to Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin.

Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and Anderlecht are reportedly also keeping an eye on Linetty, who has been compared to current Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan, sharing several key traits.

Like Gundogan, he's not afraid to battle opponents in midfield, but he also displays excellent ability as a passer and remarkable range on the pitch. He frequently runs into the box and isn't afraid to split out wide, either, as you can see here:

Linetty would be a smart long-term investment, but he's more of an attacking option, an area where Arsenal's needs may not be so great. Coquelin was the team's best―and perhaps only―real enforcer in midfield, and it's that kind of player the Gunners should be looking at, not another playmaker.

Finally, the Gunners have also been linked with a top talent a little closer to home, as the Daily Express' Scott Wilson claims they'll try to move for Charlton's Lookman, an 18-year-old forward whose rapid progression in south-east London hasn't gone unnoticed.

Lookman only made his first-team debut a few weeks ago but is already drawing rave reviews from scouts and Charlton insiders, per Wilson. The report claims the club rates the forward higher than defender Joe Gomez, who moved to Liverpool during the summer and made a big impression early, before suffering an injury.

Charlton fans are already growing desperate following reports just about every Premier League giant is following the budding star:

According to Wilson, all of the big clubs from London―Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur―as well as Manchester City are tracking the teenager, which will likely lead to a bidding war in January, as all clubs attempt to secure his services before their rivals have the chance to counter.

But Addicks manager Karel Fraeye claims the youngster has already told the club he wants to stay with Charlton for now, per South London Press' Richard Cawley:

It's a little too early to get swept away in the hype surrounding Lookman, who would be better off staying with the Addicks for a few more seasons. He's currently playing regular minutes, which is exactly what he needs to keep developing.

But young talents are usually snapped up in a heartbeat these days, and Arsenal's rivals won't just sit around and bide their time. If the January window does turn into a race to sign Lookman, the Gunners need to move before any of the other clubs do.

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