Agent Confirms Arsenal Talks for Serie A Forward As Morata Hopes Fade

The agent of Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco has confirmed Arsenal have made enquiries into his client's availability ahead of a possible loan move.

Arsene Wenger is understood to prefer waiting until the summer before adding to his forward options but an injury to Theo Walcott that will rule him out for the remainder of the season has accelerated his plans.

With a move for Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata unlikely to happen this month, recent reports suggest the Gunners manager has turned his attention to Giovinco, who has struggled to impose himself on Antonio Conte's first team this season.

When asked of contact from the Premier League leaders, Giovinco's agent Claudio Pasqualin confirmed enquiries had been made.

"We had contact from Arsenal," Pasqualin was quoted as saying by Metro. "It was a request for information about his situation. There was nothing more (at the moment)."

26-year-old Giovinco has started just two Serie A games this season and may be interested in pushing for a temporary move away from the Bianconeri in order to strengthen his chances of being selected Cesare Prandelli's Italy squad for next summer's World Cup.

Although not a natural centre forward, Giovinco's versatility across attack could make him a viable target for Wenger. Although Olivier Giroud returned to the first team with a goal in his side's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, the club are light on cover for the Frenchman.

Nicklas Bendtner is still struggling with an ankle injury he picked up on New Year's Day while summer signing Yaya Sanogo has had much of his season disrupted by a persistent back injury.

21-year-old Morata was thought to be Wenger's primary target and hopes of signing the Spain under-21 international received a boost last week when he admitted he will have to consider a move away from the Bernabeu should his first team opportunities remain scarce.

But Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is not willing to let the striker leave the club, stating: "I have not spoken with him and there is nothing to speak about. No one has asked for him and, if a team did come in for him, the answer would a clear no. He is staying."