Arsenal target Fernando Llorente has admitted he would like to play for an English Premier League club when his contract with Athletic Bilbao expires at the end of the season.
Llorente is wanted by a host of clubs in England, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool credited with the keenest interest.
The Spanish international striker has made it clear he will not sign a new contract with Bilbao, and he will be free to talk to clubs to come to a pre-contract agreement from Jan. 1.
Llorente has been a long-term target for Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger considering a move for the 27-year-old in the summer, before deciding on Olivier Giroud.
While Giroud has shown promise at Arsenal, there is no doubting the fact that the Gunners could use a proven goalscorer in the mould of Llorente.
"It is true that we are approaching the date when I can sign for other clubs," Llorente told Revista de La Liga.
"I really like the Premier League and I've mentioned on more than one occasion that it's a league which appeals to me a lot.
"You never know. It's one good option in terms of my future but we'll have to wait until the end of the season to see what happens."
Reports have suggested Llorente has already come to an agreement with Italian champions Juventus, but the forward rubbished those reports, saying he is yet to sit down with any club and will do so only once the window opens in January.
"I think it's normal that people talk about these things, but ultimately you have to respect the rules," he added.
"I am an Athletic player and, until January 1, I cannot sign with any other team.
"I'm trying to keep it so that it is something which is managed by my brother and my representatives. That leaves me to focus in my football and help my team, Athletic, and nothing else, maintain focus."
Arsenal have also been heavily linked with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, another striker who will be out of contract at the end of the season, and the Dutch international looks more likely to join the Gunners than Llorente at the moment.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are also being linked with a move for AC Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy. The Italian has been in sparkling form for Milan this season, and is currently Serie A's top scorer.
The 20-year-old is seen as one of the brightest young talents in Italy, and it is highly unlikely Milan, despite their struggles, will let go of their player, especially after the falling out which followed the sales of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to Paris St. Germain in the summer.
El Shaarawy will no doubt fit perfectly at Arsenal, but it will cost a transfer fee, which Arsene Wenger has not even remotely considered during his reign, to force Milan's hand.
While the Arsenal manager is under pressure to spend big in January, a move for El Shaarawy looks remote at best.