Arsenal are prepared to beat north London rivals Tottenham to the signing of Brazil star Leandro Damiao, according to the Daily Star.
Andre Villas-Boas' side have had their eye on the Internacional striker, and were linked with a bid for the 23-year-old in the summer. Damiao starred for Brazil at the Olympics, as his side, along with Neymar and Chelsea star Oscar, progressed through to the final only to lose 2-1 to Mexico.
Damiao top scored in London with six goals, and the tall striker was one of Brazil's most impressive performers.
Reports say Spurs have chased Damiao for the past three transfer windows, and that the club were confident of bringing the Brazilian to White Hart Lane once his domestic season finished in South America at the end of the year.
But, according to the Daily Star, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is now targeting a January move for Damiao, and has set aside funds to finance a move for the Internacional frontman and long-time Tottenham target.
The Arsenal boss reportedly has a transfer kitty worth at least £35m to spend when the transfer window reopens, and the Gunners manager is believed to be keen to recruit a forward to fill the void left by the departed Robin Van Persie.
Wenger is thought to see Damiao as an ideal replacement. The Brazil number nine is young, talented and could be tempted to move from his homeland to one of Europe's big leagues.
Arsenal brought in Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud in the summer, but the sale of Van Persie to Manchester United has opened up space for a possible January purchase.
Meanwhile, Tottenham brought in Emmanuel Adebayor and Clint Dempsey over the summer, but Spurs have long been credited with an interested in Damiao. Should the forward become available, the north London club would likely reignite their interest.
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