Arsenal Have Expressed Interest in Signing Nikola Zigic, Confirms Agent

The agent of Serbian striker Nikola Zigic has revealed Arsene Wenger wants to sign the former Birmingham City star on a short term deal.

Olivier Giroud suffered an ankle injury during his side's 2-2 draw with Everton at the weekend, prompting suggestions the Frenchman could be ruled out for at least three months.

While Arsenal are yet to confirm the severity of the knock, Wenger revealed the striker has seen a specialist and will miss Wednesday's Champions League play-off clash with Besiktas.

Giroud's absence will leave Arsenal short up front just two games into the Premier League campaign and Wenger is expected to delve into the transfer market to rectify the problem, although he has insisted he will not be pressured into making a panic buy.

Zigic, who is a free agent after being released by Birmingham this summer, has emerged as a shock target for the Gunners and the 33-year-old's representative has revealed he has already held preliminary talks with the Premier League giants.

"It is true. Wenger called me on Tuesday afternoon and told me that he wants to bring Zigic to Arsenal," the striker's representative Milan Calasan told Sport, Sky Sports report.

"It is clear that you cannot reject an offer like that. But Zigic is the one who must decide. He must say what he wants.

"But Wenger was clear, he is offering a contract until the end of the season with the option for another 12 months. I know that Arsenal are in a hurry, but Nikola also has offers from Turkey and Switzerland."

Calasan's comments suggest he could be looking to draw firm interest from other clubs in efforts to find his client a new club as soon as possible. Zigic, who spent four seasons in Spain with Racing Santander and Valencia before arriving on these shores, spent just one season in the Premier League with Birmingham before the club were relegated to the Championship in 2011.

The Serb played a decisive role in keeping the Blues in the second tier of English football last season, scoring and helping set up a late goal as the club pulled back a 2-2 draw against Bolton on the final day of the campaign.