Arsenal are preparing a loan deal for Luka Jovic as a backup alternative to their long-term centre-forward transfer options this month.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Luka Jovic of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Vinicius Junior and David Alaba after scoring their side's second goal during the La Liga Santander match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF at Reale Arena on December 04, 2021. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Luka Jovic of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Vinicius Junior and David Alaba after scoring their side’s second goal during the La Liga Santander match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF at Reale Arena on December 04, 2021. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Initially reported by The S*n (but since confirmed by more reliable sources), Arsenal could look to bring Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic in on a short-term loan deal this month.

James Benge reports that Arsenal have been offered the chance to take Jovic on loan, and The Athletic confirm that the Serbian striker is in the frame this month.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal may consider Jovic as a backup option to their primary centre-forward targets. They admire his link-up play and finishing ability, though they aren’t sure about his defensive work rate.

Arsenal’s first-choice signing up front was Dusan Vlahovic, but the Fiorentina man looks set to join Juventus. The Gunners have other targets, but many of them may not be attainable this month.

Jovic, on the other hand, appears to be surplus to requirements at Real Madrid and could fill the gap until the summer.

Real Madrid's Serbian forward Luka Jovic (R) controls the ball during the Copa del Rey (King's Cup) round of 16 first leg football match between Elche CF and Real Madrid CF at the Martinez Valero stadium in Elche on January 20, 2022. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s Serbian forward Luka Jovic (R) controls the ball during the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) round of 16 first leg football match between Elche CF and Real Madrid CF at the Martinez Valero stadium in Elche on January 20, 2022. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The 24-year-old striker has a goal and two assists in 432 minutes this season for Real Madrid, as well as a couple of goals in 257 minutes for Serbia over the same period.

That’s not a bad return, with a goal or assist every 138 minutes, but the sample size is so small. He clearly needs to be playing more often – whether that’s at Arsenal or elsewhere.

The hope is obviously that Jovic will rediscover the 2018/19 Frankfurt form that took him to Real Madrid in the first place.

The striker scored 27 goals and assisted six that season, including two Europa League semi-final goals against Chelsea.