Rumour: Arsenal set sights on Salomon Kalou

Arsenal have set their sights on Salomon Kalou as a back-up option should they fail with their bid to sign Julian Draxler from Schalke, with the former Chelsea man deemed a perfect fit for their squad as they aim for Premier League glory.

The Gunners are still waiting to see if the German club will accept their offer of £25million for Draxler, but are wary that Schalke are not keen on parting company with their star player.

Arsene Wenger has written up a plan B should that transfer not be considered however, with Kalou having been looked at as a cut-price option, the Daily Star report.

Kalou has a release clause of just £2.5m at Lille, and has attracted the interest of several teams back in England having impressed in the past two years In France following his free transfer from Chelsea in 2012.

Kalou brings a wealth of Premier League experience behind him after winning every domestic trophy (and the Champions League) during his spell at Stamford Bridge and the Gunners feel he could be a safe option to help bolster the ranks following a string of injuries at the Emirates.

Santi Cazorla was the latest to limp off against Southampton on Tuesday, joining Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott in the physio room as the Gunners small squad has been stretched to it’s limits.

Wenger has suggested that he needs to enter the transfer market so his side can cope with the demands of a title challenge and is a known fan of Kalou from his days in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are also rumoured to be interested in the Ivorian forward, but Arsenal are thought to be his first choice after long-running interest, should he decide to return to English shores.