<
>

Arsenal want Nikola Zigic - agents

Nikola Zigic's agent has confirmed that Arsenal are keen to sign the former Serbia striker.

- Mangan: Giroud leaves Arsenal with striker puzzle
- Wenger: Podolski going nowhere

Zigic, 33, is a free agent after leaving Birmingham City following the expiry of his contract in the summer and has been linked with a surprise move to the Emirates Stadium.

Earlier this week, Arsene Wenger had remained coy over whether he planned to reinforce after news emerged that Olivier Giroud could face an extended spell on the sidelines, but agent Milan Calasan said the Gunners boss has been in touch.

"Wenger called me in the afternoon on Tuesday and underlined his desire to sign Nikola Zigic," he was quoted as telling Sport. "He was offering a contract until the end of the year, with an option to extend until the end of 2015. We'll see -- it's up to Nikola to decide."

He said there is "no concrete offer" from the Premier League side at this stage, however, and added: "Nikola also has offers from teams in Switzerland and Turkey, so he will go there if the transfer to Arsenal doesn't go through."

Another agent, Dejan Pekovic, told the Blic newspaper that Wenger had followed Zigic during his time at Red Star Belgrade, whom he joined in 2003, and then in Spain, where he played for Racing Santander and Valencia from 2006 to 2009.

Pekovic added: "We have had several discussions. The Arsenal manager is seeking specific players to use in his attack.

"Zigic, who is difficult to sell for his height and style of playing, is at the 'gates' of Arsenal. Only a miracle could prevent him from signing for the Gunners."

Blic reports that the deal will be signed on Thursday.