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According to reports in The Sun, Arsenal are targeting a January move for Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals who has a £17.8m release clause, and their Premier League rivals Liverpool should hijack any potential deal.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Sun report that Gunners boss Unai Emery is ready to meet the 22-year-old's bargain release clause as he searches for a replacement for Aaron Ramsey, who looks set to leave the Emirates when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Sun report that the Spanish manager believes that his national compatriot has what it takes to be a hit in the Premier League, and he has been an impressive performer for Villarreal this term despite the fact that they are struggling towards the wrong end of the La Liga table.

Fornals has scored three goals and provided a further two assists in 17 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish club during the current campaign, while he has netted seven times and produced 15 assists in 63 outings in total having joined them from Malaga in the summer of 2017.

Why should Liverpool sign him?

The Reds came so close to bringing Lyon attacking midfielder Nabil Fekir to Anfield during the summer before a £53m deal broke down, and at times this season they have been missing that player that can make a difference in a No.10 role – especially when their front-three haven't been firing.

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There is no doubt that talented Spain international Fornals is capable of filling that role, and the fact that he can play in a deeper role or on the wing too is just another bonus.

Because of his reported price tag, the 22-year-old would be a budget alternative to Fekir for Jurgen Klopp, but he has the quality and potential to make the same impact as the Frenchman would.