The January transfer window is always a time of the year when managers try desperately to keep their star men, and that has been the case with Mikel Arteta and his captain Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Gunners forward has reportedly been a target for Barcelona this window, and they are believed to be huge fans of his movement and energy in the final third. However, according to this website, the move isn’t likely to move beyond discussions in January, as the Gunners will look to keep hold of their best-attacking players in the hope of mounting a challenge on the top-four.

But, if the Gunners were to have let their captain go, who could they bring in to fill the void?

Thomas Lemar

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - OCTOBER 29: Thomas Lemar of Club Atletico de Madrid looks on during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 29, 2019 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN – OCTOBER 29: Thomas Lemar of Club Atletico de Madrid looks on during the Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio de Mendizorroza on October 29, 2019 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Arsenal have been interested in bringing Thomas Lemar to the club since Arsene Wenger was in charge. However, the 24-year-old is well-liked by Arteta, and he would be keen to take the Atletico winger to replace Aubameyang. They are slightly different types of player, with Lemar preferring to operate down the wings.

He can also play in the number ten position and his pace would make him an instant hit with the fans, and if the Gunners were to sign him, it would possibly indicate a change in direction tactically.

Moussa Dembele

Barcelona's Spanish defender Gerrad Pique (R) vies with Lyon's French forward Moussa Dembele during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Lyon (OL) and FC Barcelona on February 19, 2019, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)        (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona’s Spanish defender Gerrad Pique (R) vies with Lyon’s French forward Moussa Dembele during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Lyon (OL) and FC Barcelona on February 19, 2019, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) 

The former Celtic star has been gaining the attention from a lot of Premier League sides in this current window. But it looks unlikely that the Frenchman will be leaving Lyon before the end of the season, which could open the door for Arsenal to make a move. Chelsea and Manchester United have both been thinking about making a £45 million offer in this window.

He has been in excellent season in Ligue 1 this campaign, as he has scored 13 goals in 28 appearances. Dembele is filling the void that has been left by Memphis Depay, who is out for the remainder of the season. His importance to the club means that he won’t be sold in this window, but he could be on the move in the summer.

Raul Jimenez

Raul Jiminez of Mexico's World Cup squad responds to questions from journalists during Mexico Media Day on May 25, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California ahead a pre-World Cup soccer friendly against Wales in Pasadena on May 28. - Mexico is drawn in the same first round group at the 2018 World Cup beginning in June with South Korea, Sweden and Germany. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)        (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Raul Jiminez  (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) 

If the club are going to look for a striker that can match the tallies recorded by Aubameyang, then they shouldn’t look past the Wolves striker. The Mexican has answered doubts about his ability to score goals in the Premier League emphatically over the past two seasons and has teased that he could be ready to make the jump up to a bigger club than Wolves.

Wolves will only accept a big offer for the 28-year-old, after only signing him on a permanent deal last summer. Arsenal are going to need to pay more than the £30 million that brought him to England, but if he can score 20 goals at the Emirates next season, then it would be money well spent, as that could indicate the club would be fighting for a top-four finish.