Arsenal could make a move for Ferran Torres this month...

What's the word?

That's according to 90min transfer expert Graeme Bailey, who said the following on a recent 'Talking Transfers' podcast:

"He’s a player who Arsenal have liked for a long time, even before he left City. Mikel Arteta knows this boy well. I think he is a perfect fit for Arsenal, I really do. Of all the players linked, I think Ferran Torres, under the radar, could be a sensational pick-up for Arsenal.

"Keep an eye on this, this one could happen. It’s got chances. Barca could loan him, so yeah, I think Torres could be the one that Arsenal turn to."

It backs up similar remarks from transfer insider Dean Jones, who told GIVEMESPORT: "Ferran knows that Arsenal have wanted him for some time now, which suggests that he would fit in well into what they’re trying to build under Mikel Arteta."

Reports in Spain suggested that the Gunners had a €30m (£26m) bid rejected for the 22-year-old some 18 months after he swapped Manchester City for FC Barcelona in a €55m (£48m) move.

He's perfect for Arteta

With Gabriel Jesus still absent with a long-term knee issue, it makes sense for sporting director Edu Gaspar to look for alternatives for the remainder of the season - one which could end with silverware, given their position in the Premier League and other domestic and European cup competitions.

Arteta had left Pep Guardiola's side by the time Torres had been and gone from the Etihad Stadium, not that he featured much at his young age, but moves for the aforementioned Brazilian and Oleksandr Zinchenko suggests that this would be another move that could pay dividends.

FBref also liken his statistical profile to that of Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, two players that the Spaniard did coach at City, which further bodes well for such a move.

What makes Torres a solid candidate in the long run is his versatility to play anywhere across the front three, where he has provided six goal contributions from 20 appearances this term, so if Jesus were to return early, he'd still be valuable cover for the flanks too.

And when compared to his positional peers across Europe, the Barcelona gem compares very favourably, ranking inside the top 8% for non-penalty goals and the top 7% for total shots per 90, via FBref.

This sort of attacking output would serve Arteta well and that's what makes the Spanish phenom a perfect signing before deadline day on January 31st. As such, Edu must look to get this move over the line, as Bailey says, it would be a "sensational" deal to make.

AND in other news, Ornstein shares potential transfer interest in Premier League dynamo...