With David Villa looking like he will stay put at Barcelona until the end of the season, Arsenal have gone into overdrive in search for a new striker, with three forwards linked with moves to the Emirates.

Adrian Lopez has been right at the top of Arsene Wenger's wishlist since the start of the season, but the Gunners are reluctant to match the £14 million ($22.5 million) release clause.

It is understood, Atletico Madrid are keen on letting their player, who is yet to agree on a new contract, go and are in advanced talks with Arsenal's representatives over a move. Although, it remains to be seen what the final price will be, with Arsenal reportedly putting in an official £10 million ($16 million) bid.

The likelihood is the two parties can come to an agreement of around £12-13 million ($19-21 million).

Another player who could be wearing an Arsenal shirt come the end of January is Loic Remy of Marseille, with the Gunners making a late bid for the French international, who was expected to move to Newcastle, according to the Independent.

Wenger has always been an admirer of Remy, with the 26-year-old linked with a move to the Emirates for the past couple of seasons. Newcastle were the frontrunners for the striker's signature, with Remy turning down a move to Queens Park Rangers.

Arsenal should be in pole position to land the forward, capable of playing down the middle or out wide, if they choose to go forward with their interest, with Remy being a boyhood Gunners fan.

The third striker that Arsenal have been linked with is Seviila's Spanish international Alvaro Negredo.

The Spanish club's president Jose Maria Del Nido has flown into London to start negotiations over the sale of the striker, with Tottenham and Arsenal leading the chase, while Chelsea and Newcastle have also been linked.

Negredo will not come cheap though, with interested parties requiring to fork out around €18 million (£15 million, $24 million), according to Muchodeporte.

Spurs are thought to be the most likely destination for Negredo, with Andre villas-Boas in desperate need of a striker, following the departure of Emmanuel Adebayor to the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, a move to Arsenal cannot be entirely ruled out, with Negredo constantly linked with a move to the Emirates in the past as well as the start of the January transfer window.

Adrian and Remy are more versatile forwards, equally comfortable playing out wide or down the middle, while Negredo is at his best as a central striker, but provides more potency in front of goal.

Arsenal need to strengthen their forward line, one of the three will definitely add that extra bit of quality to the squad.