Arsene Wenger is plotting a January move for Real Madrid star Esteban Granero, as he looks to continue his recruitment drive at the Emirates Stadium, according to talkSPORT.

The Arsenal boss went transfer-crazy in the final days of the summer transfer window, signing Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Park Chu Yong, Santos and Yossi Benayoun to offset the losses of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue.

Despite acquiring midfielders Arteta and Benayoun the Frenchman still wants to add another creative source to the centre of the park and has identified Granero as that playmaker .

The Spaniard has struggled to nail down a starting place at Real Madrid and is out of favour with Jose Mourinho. Granero started only eight league games last season.

He came through the youth ranks at Madrid but was sold to Getafe in 2007 after failing to make the step up into the first team. After an impressive two year spell at Azulones, he was bought back for £3.5 million - but again failed to make an impression.

With the wealth of options available to boss Jose Mourinho it seems the 24-year-old will be allowed to leave the Bernabeu again with Arsenal ready to pounce  when the window re-opens at the start of 2012.

Despite having a £50 minimum fee release clause, and two years left on his contract, Madrid would reportedly be willing to let Granero leave for around the same price they paid to re-sign him.

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