English Premier League giants Arsenal have been linked with Colombian forward Juan Guillermo Cuadrado.

 

The 23-year-old is on the books of Serie A outfit Udinese, who are renowned for their ability to spot and then develop talent, an asset which has helped the southern Italian side to punch above their weight in the upper echelons of the country’s top flight.

 

Cuadrado has been sent on loan by Udinese to Lecce to aid his development this year, and sources in Italy have revealed that Arsenal have been taking a close look at the former Independiente Medellin man.

 

While Arsenal have just snapped up Thierry Henry on a two-month loan deal from New York Red Bulls, the striker is not a long term solution for Arsene Wenger.

 

In fact, the Frenchman is already thinking about the coming summer, when hitman Marouane Chamakh is expected to depart on a permanent basis and the possibility of losing talisman Robin van Persie, if the Dutchman refuses to sign a new contract, exists.

 

Wenger therefore is alive to the need to bring new forward players to the club.

 

Cuadrado’s current side, Lecce, are struggling at the foot of Serie A, but the Colombian international, who can operate as a right winger too, has shown more than a few flashes of talent.

 

The 23-year-old is due to remain at Lecce until the end of the season and is under contract with Udinese until 2014.

 

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