Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made an enquiry for long-term target Adrian Lopez - but the Gunners do not want to pay his £14million buy-out clause.
The Londoners have been trailing Atletico Madrid striker Lopez for months and he is high on their list of potential January transfer targets.
Although he is a full Spain international, 24-year-old Lopez is only a bit-part player for Atletico and could be allowed to go in January, but Arsenal are reluctant to trigger the clause as they try to work out whether a deal can be done.
Wenger's scouting network have repeatedly watched Lopez and Atletico may choose to part with him rather than superstar Colombian hitman Radamel Falcao as they seek to offset financial problems at the club.
Arsenal are trying to bring in a new striker, even though Theo Walcott has been in sparkling form recently when used as a centre-forward.
Gunners legend Thierry Henry had been linked with another short-term loan from New York Red Bulls during Major League Soccer's winter off-season, but Wenger has now ruled that out.
Wenger has been looking for back-up for Olivier Giroud and is losing Gervinho to Africa Cup of Nations duty with Ivory Coast.
However, Arsenal still want to offload Marouane Chamakh this month, and doing so would free up money to make a signing on a big contract.
Wenger wants to get busy in January and the fact Schalke's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has signed a new contract strengthens the chances of Lopez emerging as the top target, but the Arsenal manager is determined not to pay over the odds in the winter window.
Arsenal are also keen on Crystal Palace and England forward Wilfried Zaha and Manchester United winger Nani.
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