Japan striker Takuma Asano provides latest Arsenal transfer update

Takuma Asano has confirmed that Arsenal have made an approach for the Japan international.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a surprise target for the Gunners following their failed attempt to sign Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy in a £20m deal from the Premier League champions earlier this month.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has wasted no time identifying alternative targets for the Gunners following Vardy’s snub, with Asano being touted as a potential signing for the north London side.

The Sanfreece Hiroshima striker has scored 20 times in 75 appearances for the J1 League outfit in all competitions since making his debut in 2013.

And Arsenal target Asano insisted that he would be open to the challenge of succeeding in the Premier League after confirming Arsenal’s approach for the Japan international.

“I was a little stunned,” Asano is quoted as saying by the Metro.

“But I feel like I have the confidence to succeed wherever I go.

“If I am loaned elsewhere, my take on it is that I give it 100%.”

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Arsenal finished the season in second place in the Premier League table but ended the campaign without any silverware for the first time since 2013.